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H1N1 Flu Information

The confirmed cases of swine flu in Texas, and across the U.S., are something I take very seriously. They are a cause for concern, but not panic. It is important at this time that we remain calm and take every precaution to keep our communities safe. The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing Thursday on the outbreak and our federal response.

Our ability to deal with this sort of threat to the public health depends on Americans being smart about flu prevention, and depends heavily on the competence and excellence of our doctors and scientific community.”
– Congressman Rubén Hinojosa

Below is some important information to consider on the swine flu:

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • Try to stay in good general health.
  • Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
  • If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
     


If you are ill:
Individuals who are sick with influenza-like illness (fever and one or two of the following: cough, sore throat, runny nose) are reminded to take standard measures to limit spread of disease such as frequent hand washing, covering their cough and avoiding going to work, school or other settings where they could infect others.

Individuals should consult with their primary medical provider if their symptoms are not being managed effectively with over-the-counter medications or if they have other medical conditions such as pregnancy or chronic illness. If you become ill within seven (7) days of having traveled to Mexico, or locations in the United States and Canada where confirmed cases have occurred, you should take all of the above measures and consult with your primary care physician to determine if you need testing or treatment. They should call the State of Texas swine flu call center at 888-777-5320. Health care providers with questions about assessing, evaluating and treating swine flu, call 877-623-6274. These lines are operational from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m If you become ill at work: As is generally recommended, individuals who note the onset of influenza-like illness while at work should take measures to prevent the spread of disease such as leaving work in order to limit the potential exposure to others, cover their coughs and reinforce hand hygiene.

RESOURCES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Swine Influenza
Provides general information, frequently asked questions (in English and Spanish), updated cases of infection by state, travel notices and press briefings
URL: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

Texas Department of State Health Services
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – PandemicFlu.gov: Swine Flu
Questions About Swine Flu
URL: http://pandemicflu.gov/faq/swineflu/

Department of Homeland Security – Joint Press Briefing on Swine Influenza
Transcript of the April 26 press briefing with officials from the Department of Homeland Security, Centers for Disease Control and the White House
URL: http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1240773850207.shtm

Department of Agriculture – USDA Outreach Efforts
Includes statements by Agriculture Secretary Vilsack regarding USDA outreach efforts regarding swine flu and frequently asked questions
URL: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&co

Department of State – Travel Alerts
Travel Alert to Mexico (4/27/09)
URL: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html

World Health Organization – Swine Influenza
Provides the latest information about the WHO’s global response to swine influenza outbreaks
URL: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html