Schools prepared
for potential
flu cases

By Mary Garrison
Tribune-Courier Reporter
mgarrison@tribunecourier.com

MARSHALL COUNTY – Fever. Runny nose. Upset stomach. Body aches.

The list of potential symptoms goes on in a case of the flu. And with H1N1, more commonly dubbed “swine flu,” they’re exactly the same.

The epidemic has been sweeping across Mexico like wildfire, branching into the United States and several other countries, and gaining mainstream media attention in the last week.
However, officials with the Marshall County Health Department said it is important not to panic, nor is there reason to.

“It is a concern because this is a different strain of influenza,” said Lori Thompson, Director of Administrative Services at the MC Health Department. “Humans have never been exposed to this particular strain, so we have no natural immunity to it, and that’s why it’s causing such trouble in the human body.”

However, Thompson said the illness is treatable with antiviral medications such as Tamaflu and Relenza, and most of what the region will see will likely be mild cases. Still, Thompson urged citizens to use ‘common good health practices.’

“The thing I can’t stress enough is to use common sense about this,” she said. “Don’t go to work if you’re feeling ill. Don’t send your kids to school if they’re sick. Use the same methods you would use to prevent catching a cold or flu. Wash your hands frequently, don’t eat or drink after anyone. Simple practices like these will keep it from spreading.”

Like seasonal flu, H1N1 is transmitted from human to human; it cannot be contracted from the consumption of pork.

In the United States alone, common seasonal flu kills some 36,000 people a year. Generally, those most affected are already afflicted with other ailments. The elderly are usually highly susceptible to the virus.

However, because humans have no natural immunity to the H1N1 strain, the severity of symptoms are affecting those in all age groups.

The Health Department is fully prepared, however.
“This is actually nothing new to us,” Thompson said. “We’ve had people in place for just this sort of instance ever since 9/11.”

Thompson said the health department has taken a position of active surveillance, monitoring the spread of the illness and the proximity to the county, gathering continual information to keep residents updated and safe, taking precautions in the event of infection and releasing information and guidance to the public to limit the spread of the virus.

“We’ve been working with local agencies and all of the local physicians to know what to expect,” Thompson said. “All of the local doctors have kits where they can test for influenza in a suspected case.”

Thompson said there are two types of influenza, type A and type B. Physicians can test within the office to determine if influenza is present and which type.

“If it’s type B, we know immediately it’s not swine flu,” Thompson said.

If type A, however, the test is then shipped to a lab in Frankfort to determine if the strain is of human or animal origin.

“Even if it is of animal origin, that doesn’t mean it’s swine flu,” Thompson said. “It could be any number of things, including Avian flu.”

If determined the particular strain is of animal origin, the Frankfort facility will then ship the sample to the Center for Disease Control lab in Atlanta, Ga.

“They confirm exactly what type of flu we’re dealing with,” Thompson said. “The whole process takes approximately 48 hours.”

In addition to working with local agencies, physicians and residents, the health department has been closely monitoring the situation with Marshall County School Systems.

“We’ve been in close contact with the health department,” said Trent Lovett, Marshall County Schools Superintendent. “They assisted in providing materials and facts for distribution and drafting a letter ready to go home to parents if the need arises.”

Lovett said on the recommedation of the health department, the letter has not been issued.

“We want to be prepared, but we don’t want to overreact and start a panic,” Lovett said. “There’s no need for that.”

Lovett said the board of education has alerted all school principals to precautionary measures, such as stepping up hand-washing and sanitizers for students and additional cleaning measures in the schools.

Lovett said in the event of a reported case in the county, the school system will, in fact, shut down.

“As contagious as this flu appears to be, I don’t think we’d have any other choice,” Lovett said. It would affect our calendar, again, and the students would have to make the time up, but the safety of our students comes first, no matter what.”

Swine flu cases have been confirmed in 36 states in the country, with two confirmed cases in Kentucky.

Of the 286 confirmed cases, only one death has been recorded, in a 24-month-old child in Texas from Mexico.

Above all, health department officials stress that there is no need to panic. Cases reported in the United States have been mild, and those infected made full recoveries.

However, Thompson said if anyone has traveled to highly affected locations, been around infected individuals or are exhibiting symptoms of the flu, a visit to the family physician is wise.

“We are well prepared for this,” Thompson said. “We will continue to do our best to keep the public updated and aware of what’s going on.”

For questions and concerns, Thompson recommends the CDC website at www.cdc.gov or call the Marshall County Health Department at 527-1496.