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News - Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Saint Louis Missouri USA |
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| Bothwell Regional Health Ctr |
| BJC, Barnes-Jewish Activate Response Plan To Swine Flu |
| Date : - 01/05/2009 |
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Contact:
Kim Kitson
314-286-2047
kkitson@bjc.org
May 1, 2009, ST. LOUIS -- U.S. health officials have taken steps that will help health care workers respond if an outbreak of "swine flu" (H1N1 influenza A) that originated in Mexico has a significant impact in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working with health departments, hospitals and health care providers across the country to rapidly identify and contain any cases of the illness. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services offers health tips and the latest news. And the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter has released Home Care for Pandemic Flu.
To date, only a limited number of the influenza strain had been reported in the United States and most cases were mild. But the federal government has taken steps to facilitate increased detection of the illness and to release anti-viral medications and other supplies if needed. See news from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
BJC HealthCare infectious disease doctors, nurses and staff are working closely with local and state health department officials to help identify any potential cases by ensuring emergency department and other health care staff understand what symptoms to watch for and what questions to ask regarding exposure, as well as appropriate isolation procedures if a case is suspected. See BJC FAQs.
"At this time, we are in a wait-and-see mode because it is too early to tell if the influenza strain is going to spread rapidly from person to person," says Keith Woeltje, MD, BJC medical director of infection prevention and Washington University assistant professor of infectious disease. "In the meantime, the CDC and health departments are mobilizing resources, including stockpiles of anti-viral medications, in case the outbreak begins to spread significantly."
BJC has had plans in place for several years regarding a pandemic flu outbreak and is prepared to respond in the event of an outbreak.
Precautions for the new strain of flu are the same as seasonal flu and include:
* Frequent hand washing with soap or hand sanitizers
* Covering the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, preferably using a disposable tissue
* Avoiding contact with people who are ill
* Staying home from work or school if ill to reduce the risk of spreading the illness.
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| Reference : - www.barnesjewish.org |
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