HCS Information Exchange

The following is a message Dr. Ulder J. Tillman sent to employees of Montgomery County. It has very useful information for all of us. Please take care.

Dear Fellow County Employee:

This message is to let you know more about the swine flu situation in Montgomery County and what you can do to protect yourself and your family.

First of all, you should know there are no cases of swine flu in Montgomery County—or in the State of Maryland or in the general Washington metropolitan region—at this time. There have been no deaths in the United States among the swine flu cases. But this is an evolving situation that could change at any time.

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Disease Control Program is closely monitoring the situation nationally and internationally and making preparations for if, and when, Montgomery County does have cases. We have been watching this situation since the first news came from Mexico. We are working closely with the State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the national level. We are preparing to open our Public Health Information Line, 240-777-4200, mid-afternoon Tuesday, April 28 to answer questions. Of course, we will keep you updated on specifics in Montgomery County. Some things you can do are:

· Always cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue—and throw the tissue away. Or cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow. Don’t send your sneeze or cough into the air. This is good advice always, even when there is no swine flu.

· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze and before you eat. Alcohol hand sanitizer (minimum 60% alcohol) will do if soap and water are unavailable.

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. These are places germs can enter your body very easily.

· Try to keep at least six feet away from sick people. This is called social distancing. Swine flu, like all flu, is spread through the air so keeping some distance will give the virus space to drop to the ground if someone is coughing or sneezing.

· Monitor yourself and your family for symptoms of fever, chills, headache, sore throat, cough, body aches, and vomiting or diarrhea. If you are sick, stay home from work, school or other public places until you are feeling well. Persons who have difficulty breathing or believed to be severely ill should seek medical attention. For information about preparing for emergencies go to http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Content/HHS/phs/communicabledisease/Im....

· If symptoms of illness develop within seven days of travel from Mexico or other area where swine flu has been identified, seek medical help as soon as possible. Symptoms of swine flu are the same as those for seasonal flu: fever, runny nose, headache, body aches, etc. When you call for an appointment, be sure to tell your healthcare provider about your recent travel and suggest testing for influenza. You may be given instructions to wear a surgical mask or take other precautions to avoid infecting others.

At this time, there is no vaccination for swine flu. It is not known whether the flu shot you got this fall will provide any protection. The Food and Drug Administration and pharmaceutical manufacturers are studying what can be done to protect you from swine flu. Antivirals like Tamiflu seem to help.

Finally, you may have heard that the United States has declared a Public Health Emergency. Don’t be alarmed. The declaration of a Public Health Emergency is required for the government to be able to move ahead quickly to find a cure or vaccination or other medical help. It allows civilian and military stockpiles of anti-viral drugs to be distributed quickly should they be needed. The declared Emergency says this is a very serious situation, that it is not business as usual. But it does not mean you should panic.

For the most up-to-the-minute information about this situation go to www.cdc.gov. Click on the green square “Swine Flu Info.” Please check often as information will change daily. Be assured that we will update you as the situation in Montgomery County changes.

Dr. Ulder J. Tillman, M.D., M. P.H.
Chief, Public Health Services and Health Officer