What plans exist to help Jackson County deal with potentially deadly virus?
By Sid Riley
On one hand the national health officials are assuring citizens that H1N1 is no more serious than any other form of flu which attacks us each winter. On the other hand we hear of a rush to stockpile millions of doses of the new vaccine for the virus, and plans for massive inoculations of our children and others deemed to be at risk….including all medical personnel. It sounds a lot like they are expecting something more than a “normal” flu season.
What makes this “bug” worse than last season’s “bug”? Well, it seems what makes this one so bad is that it is brand new. This virus has mutated from other strains of the flu virus which previously only impacted animals. Thus, we have no inherited or acquired immunities to it. We are “sitting ducks” for the oncoming attack, and can expect a very high incidence of becoming sick after coming into contact with the virus.
One bright note…if you were born before 1957, you may have some residual immunity to this new demon, since a strain of flu which swept the nation in that year was very similar in design to this new variety. However, the threat is very real.
Also, if we combine the impact of this new flu virus sweeping across the planet with the normal attack generated from our usual varieties of bothersome flu viruses, we have a potentially critical situation, and a hellish winter ahead.
In conversation with the Director of the Jackson County Health Department, William Long, we approached many of the questions we felt were on the minds of local citizens. These are presented below:
Question – Mr. Long, are there any confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus in Jackson County at this time?
Answer – Yes. We do have a few. I do not know the exact number, but it is less than a dozen. There are reports of many more cases in Alabama, including Houston County. Thus as our citizens go to Dothan and other places in Alabama, our exposure increases.
Question – Do you have any projections as to how many people in Jackson County will catch this virus this winter?
Answer – No. It is impossible to give any exact projection. World wide they are projecting that a third of the population may catch this virus. If that projection held true for Jackson County, we would experience around 15,000 cases. However, I feel that due to the fact that our population is aware of the threat, and many are practicing good preventive measures such as frequent hand washing, use of sanitizers, etc. our exposure will be significantly lessened.
Question – Is there any vaccine available in Jackson County at this time?
Answer – No. The test trials of the vaccine are just concluding at the national CDC, and we expect to begin getting supplies in October. We do not know the number of doses, and what final guidelines will be issued.
Question – Who will be given the vaccine?
Answer – The final guidelines have not been issued, but we know that pregnant women are high on the priority list, and that the prime target group are the ages of 5 to 25 instead of the normal target group which is the elderly. Also, health workers will be high on the priority list, to insure that they are available to help the general population.
Question – What is the status of the regular flu vaccine for this year?
Answer – We are beginning inoculations on September 19, about one month early. The cost is $35 for flu and $45 for pneumonia inoculations.
Question – What should a family do if a family member catches H1N1?
Answer – They should take steps to isolate the patient as much as possible, and to limit the number of people who come into contact with the infected person. Also, normal sanitization measures such as use of disposable plates and utensils, wearing of masks and latex gloves, and frequent washing of hands will lessen chances of catching the virus.
Question – When the vaccine arrives how will it be distributed?
Answer – We are not totally sure of the distribution plan. It will of course be handled on a voluntary, non-mandatory basis. We may use a “pod’ approach, with Marianna High School as a central pod. We may concentrate on a major inoculation approach within the school system.
Question - Do you see any sign of an upturn in this virus in our area at this time.
Answer – No. But there was a confirmed death in Walton County, and Alabama is reporting increases.
Question – Now to change the subject. What is the status of construction of the new Health Center at the Marianna Airport Industrial Park?
Answer – Well, due to some legal issues we had to change architects. This gave us an opportunity for some design improvements, which are being made at this time. We now expect ground breaking in January, 2010.
Conclusion: This new flu virus is a reality. No one can be sure of what level of severity we will experience in Jackson County. At this time, citizens should practice increased hygiene, keep your exposure to a minimum, and stay informed. When the vaccine arrives, if you or your family members are eligible for a vaccination….be sure and get it.
Let us pray that the winter of 2009 is NOT one to remember.
By Sid Riley
On one hand the national health officials are assuring citizens that H1N1 is no more serious than any other form of flu which attacks us each winter. On the other hand we hear of a rush to stockpile millions of doses of the new vaccine for the virus, and plans for massive inoculations of our children and others deemed to be at risk….including all medical personnel. It sounds a lot like they are expecting something more than a “normal” flu season.
What makes this “bug” worse than last season’s “bug”? Well, it seems what makes this one so bad is that it is brand new. This virus has mutated from other strains of the flu virus which previously only impacted animals. Thus, we have no inherited or acquired immunities to it. We are “sitting ducks” for the oncoming attack, and can expect a very high incidence of becoming sick after coming into contact with the virus.
One bright note…if you were born before 1957, you may have some residual immunity to this new demon, since a strain of flu which swept the nation in that year was very similar in design to this new variety. However, the threat is very real.
Also, if we combine the impact of this new flu virus sweeping across the planet with the normal attack generated from our usual varieties of bothersome flu viruses, we have a potentially critical situation, and a hellish winter ahead.
In conversation with the Director of the Jackson County Health Department, William Long, we approached many of the questions we felt were on the minds of local citizens. These are presented below:
Question – Mr. Long, are there any confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus in Jackson County at this time?
Answer – Yes. We do have a few. I do not know the exact number, but it is less than a dozen. There are reports of many more cases in Alabama, including Houston County. Thus as our citizens go to Dothan and other places in Alabama, our exposure increases.
Question – Do you have any projections as to how many people in Jackson County will catch this virus this winter?
Answer – No. It is impossible to give any exact projection. World wide they are projecting that a third of the population may catch this virus. If that projection held true for Jackson County, we would experience around 15,000 cases. However, I feel that due to the fact that our population is aware of the threat, and many are practicing good preventive measures such as frequent hand washing, use of sanitizers, etc. our exposure will be significantly lessened.
Question – Is there any vaccine available in Jackson County at this time?
Answer – No. The test trials of the vaccine are just concluding at the national CDC, and we expect to begin getting supplies in October. We do not know the number of doses, and what final guidelines will be issued.
Question – Who will be given the vaccine?
Answer – The final guidelines have not been issued, but we know that pregnant women are high on the priority list, and that the prime target group are the ages of 5 to 25 instead of the normal target group which is the elderly. Also, health workers will be high on the priority list, to insure that they are available to help the general population.
Question – What is the status of the regular flu vaccine for this year?
Answer – We are beginning inoculations on September 19, about one month early. The cost is $35 for flu and $45 for pneumonia inoculations.
Question – What should a family do if a family member catches H1N1?
Answer – They should take steps to isolate the patient as much as possible, and to limit the number of people who come into contact with the infected person. Also, normal sanitization measures such as use of disposable plates and utensils, wearing of masks and latex gloves, and frequent washing of hands will lessen chances of catching the virus.
Question – When the vaccine arrives how will it be distributed?
Answer – We are not totally sure of the distribution plan. It will of course be handled on a voluntary, non-mandatory basis. We may use a “pod’ approach, with Marianna High School as a central pod. We may concentrate on a major inoculation approach within the school system.
Question - Do you see any sign of an upturn in this virus in our area at this time.
Answer – No. But there was a confirmed death in Walton County, and Alabama is reporting increases.
Question – Now to change the subject. What is the status of construction of the new Health Center at the Marianna Airport Industrial Park?
Answer – Well, due to some legal issues we had to change architects. This gave us an opportunity for some design improvements, which are being made at this time. We now expect ground breaking in January, 2010.
Conclusion: This new flu virus is a reality. No one can be sure of what level of severity we will experience in Jackson County. At this time, citizens should practice increased hygiene, keep your exposure to a minimum, and stay informed. When the vaccine arrives, if you or your family members are eligible for a vaccination….be sure and get it.
Let us pray that the winter of 2009 is NOT one to remember.
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