SWINE FLU UPDATE

Ryan D. Wilson

May 5, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Clay County Health Department and Emergency Medical Services said Monday they are ready for a breakout of the HIN1 "swine" flu virus, should it come.

In addition, the county will have antivirals on hand from the national stockpile to people who exhibit flu systems when all other local supplies are exhausted.

Clay County Health Department Director Dana Rickley and EMS Director Pam Kemp told the county commission they have kept in close contact with Kansas Department of Health and Environment and will continue to receive regular updates from the state.

The antivirals the Health Department and other health providers will have to treat the virus are to be used only those who are sick, Kemp said.

"It's not a magic pill to keep from getting sick, that's something people will have to understand," she said. "The antivirals will minimize the effects, they won't be quite as sick."

Laboratory testing on these swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses so far indicate that they are susceptible to oseltamivir and zanamivir antivirals, according to Centers for Disease Control data.

The virus is resistant to amantadine and rimantadine so these drugs will not work against swine influenza, CDC data said.

Because the virus has shown resistance to some antivirals, health officials will limit antivirals to those who are already sick, Kemp said.

"The more exposure the virus has to antivirals, the quicker it mutates and become resistant," she said. "So they're reserved for only the ones its going to work on, which are the one who are already sick."

Rickley said the health department is no longer concerned with the two cases in neighboring Dickinson County because both have it longer than seven days.

Rickley and Kemp said health officials are concerned the virus will be worse during the regular flu season.

"Historically, that's what happens," Kemp said.

The Federal Government and manufacturers have begun the process of developing a vaccine against the H1N1 flu virus, according to the CDC web site. However, it's still up in air on whether it will be included with the regular flu vaccine, though health officials should know by fall.

Because the H1N1 swine flu isn't widespread, a vaccine many do more than harm than good. When vaccinating against a similar swine flu in the 1960s, more people were made sick by the vaccine than had health officials just let the disease run its course, Kemp said.

The federal government and flu vaccine manufacturers have ramped up and are "more aggressively" developing vaccines for all the common flus, Kemp said.

The southern hemisphere is now entering its regular flu season, so health officials will keep an how it plays out there, Kemp said.

The health department and EMS are also taking other steps to prepare for the regular flu season, including updating inventories to make sure supplies are adequate to meet potential changes, educating the public and making preparations with schools and employers.

Rickley said the department also has a plan to handle calls from the worried well -- those who aren't sick but are concerned. Officials have been referring these people to the KDHE phone bank for the worried well. The toll-free number is 1-877-427-7317. Operators will be available to answer questions from 8 a.m. -- 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Persons calling will be directed to press "1" on their touch-tone phone to be directed to an operator who will answer questions regarding swine flu.

Kansans with questions about swine flu can also e-mail swinefluinfo@kdheks.gov.

Closing schools and places of employment for a couple weeks is a possibility but would be a last resort given the huge economical impact it would have.

"Nobody is going to go there if we don't have to," Kemp said. "American's are a very social people. Social distancing doesn't come easily to us."

The symptoms of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include:

* Fever greater than 100 degrees

* Body aches

* Coughing

* Sore throat

* Respiratory congestion

* In some cases, diarrhea and vomiting

Individuals who experience the above symptoms should contact their health care provider, who will determine whether testing or treatment is needed.

As with any influenza virus, KDHE encourages individuals to take the following steps to reduce spread:

* Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

* Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to co-workers and friends.

* Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.

* Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise.

Local health officials also recommend not to handle babies or touch baby hands when sick and to call in symptoms rather than report in person to a doctor or other health provider.

Newstex ID: 34675273