Following the death of an 8-year-old Gilmer County boy from the H1N1 virus and cases of a flu virus among employees at Hill City Elementary and Pickens High School, regional health officials are advising residents to take precautions while reminding folks that most people who have contracted the virus have also recovered.
Last week’s death of an 8-year-old has many parents worried about sending their children to school, but, according to Jennifer Moorer, public information officer for the North Georgia Health District, the Ellijay boy had not yet begun school for the 2009-10 school year due to an underlying medical condition. Moorer said the boy’s immune system was compromised, and he was considered a high-risk case.
“Most people who get the flu will be fine,” she said. “People need to protect themselves against the flu through good hygiene and diet. If you get the flu, stay at home until you have recovered.”
Moorer said the public is more anxious about H1N1 flu than the traditional, seasonal flu, but she said H1N1 is not more dangerous. H1N1 (called “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. The new virus was first detected in humans within the United States last April.
“It’s more exotic and novel, and because of that, it’s more frightening to people,” Moorer said. “It’s scary to think about not having a vaccine, but it’s just another strain of the flu, and most people who get it will recover and be just fine.”
Cases of H1N1 can only be confirmed through the Centers for Disease Control. As the number of cases continue to increase, most are not being tested, particularly those that do not require hospitalization or cases where people do not seek medical attention. Type A flu can be H1N1 or another strain.
Cases of flu at local schools have prompted officials to beef up sanitation procedures.
“This could be a rough year, and we’re gearing up for it,” said School Superintendent Mike Ballew. “We have a plan in place where we clean and sanitize on a daily basis. Our custodians are involved, and there is a group we contract with who comes in every night to wipe down desktops, light switches, water fountains and other high traffic areas. We’re trying to take all the precautions we can.”
Ballew said he met with local and regional health officials, and schools have sent out letters to parents outlining symptoms to look for and everyday actions to take to stay healthy.
“Of course, we stress washing your hands, and we recommend the use of hand sanitizers,” Ballew said. “We’re in the process of putting some of those at classroom doors.”
In a regular year, the flu kills around 36,000 people in the United States, and this year, according to a presidential advisory panel, that number could escalate to as many as 90,000.
According to a study released Monday by the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, as much as 50 percent of America’s population could be affected by flu this year. A vaccine for swine flu is expected in mid-October and will be available through public health departments and private medical offices.
“We expect there will be deaths from H1N1, but remember, with the seasonal flu there are 36,000 deaths a year,” Moorer said. “Again, most people will recover if they contract H1N1 and the seasonal flu. We just need to be prepared with good health.”
Flu Precautions:
•Do not send your child to school with a fever. Keep children with flu-like illness at home, so they don’t infect others.
•Cover your nose and mouth whenever you cough or sneeze (using your sleeve is good). If you use a tissue to cover coughs or sneezes, throw it in the trash after you use it.
•Wash your hands often and with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
•Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
•Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
•Have your family (including your children) vaccinated against regular seasonal flu.
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