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DURANGO, Colo. – The San Juan Basin Health Department announced the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE) confirmation of the first two cases of H1N1 Flu (swine influenza) in Colorado.
At this writing, a total of 111 confirmed cases exist in 12 states, with one death. Public health officials continue to take steps to increase surveillance as well as to act quickly in slowing its spread in Colorado.
“We understand many people are concerned,” said Joe Fowler, San Juan Basin Health Department epidemiologist. “We’d like individuals to take a deep breath and remind them that the swine flu outbreak has been acting like the seasonal flu in the U.S. with relatively mild symptoms, and reassure individuals that we have been planning with community partners for this type of potential pandemic.”
The Health Department is working closely with La Plata and Archuleta County Offices of Emergency Management, local schools, day cares, healthcare providers and other local partners in monitoring the situation locally and providing on-going guidance in this rapidly changing outbreak.
Durango School District 9R, in collaboration with San Juan Basin Health Department, is sending a letter to families, updating them on the latest swine flu information. Along with reminders about basic flu precautions, it as also asking students and staff members who have traveled in the past seven days, either within the U.S or internationally where there are confirmed cases, to report this to the health office at their school. This is a precautionary measure only. Schools will be looking for flu-like symptoms in students and staff. As with seasonal flu, the Health office at the school will evaluate to determine whether to send the student or staff member home.
All Colorado residents can play a vital role in this effort by taking simple, common-sense precautions to keep from getting and spreading the flu. These precautions include:
- wash your hands often with soap and water
- keep your hands away from your face – especially eyes, nose and mouth
- cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your elbow instead of into your hands
- if you’re sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to avoid infecting them
“Every health official in the U.S. – including President Obama – says these are the best ways to prevent the flu,” said Fowler. “It’s really important for our community to act rationally – informed with facts rather than from fear. Remember, while there are deaths and hospitalizations associated with the seasonal flu each year, there are hundreds of thousands more that get ill with the flu and recover at home with fluids, rest while alleviating symptoms with the counter flu medicines. This is the pattern so far with swine flu.”
An important action all individuals can take along with basic personal hygiene precautions is to stay informed. For various factsheets on the swine flu and status of the nationwide outbreak, visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu. For more information on the Colorado response, visit www.cdphe.state.co.us/epr/H1N1.html. Individuals can also call the Colorado Health Info Line 1.877.462.2911 with questions.
For local La Plata and Archuleta County updates, visit www.sjbhd.org or call San Juan Basin Health Department at 247.5702.
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