Immediate Release
April 29, 2009
Little Rock -- Dr. Paul K. Halverson, DrPH, FACHE, Arkansas Department of Health Director and State Health Officer, said, “We have not had any cases of swine flu confirmed in Arkansas yet, but we are actively involved in a state-wide surveillance effort to detect the illness early if it does show up in the state.”
“The Department is in close contact with hospitals, physicians, schools, child care facilities, laboratories and regional and local health officials throughout the state to monitor persons with influenza-like illness,” Halverson said. “Testing is being done on those individuals who have symptoms—coughing, sneezing, body aches, fever over 100 degrees, and sometimes diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. At this point in time, no samples have tested positive for swine flu.”
“The events of the last week are indeed sobering, but it’s important to remember that there are things we can do,” Halverson said. “The ADH is mounting an aggressive response to this outbreak:
- Planning for receipt of the Strategic National Stockpile medications and personal protective equipment.
- Planning for at-risk populations.
- Working with the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) to develop guidance for long term care facilities.
- Working with the Arkansas Department of Education, and we are following CDC recommendations on school closings if there is a confirmed case reported in a school.
- Working with DHS on early childhood education issues (daycare, head start, etc.)
Information is being updated constantly. Our most recent information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is:
- CDC is reporting 91 human infections with this influenza A (H1N1) virus of swine origin in the United States. (An increase in 27 over the number of cases reported yesterday.)
- The list of states with the numbers of people who are confirmed cases is updated daily at 11a.m. at www.cdc.gov/swineflu.
- Human infections with this new virus have been confirmed in 10 states at this time.
- Today, CDC also is reporting the nation’s first death from this outbreak.
The Arkansas Dept of Health has released a business continuity planning guide to aid businesses in preparing for a pandemic so that they can minimize the impact on their business and protect their employees. This resource can be found at www.healthyarkansas.com. Businesses can protect their employees and customers by educating and training employees in proper hand hygiene, cough etiquette and social distancing techniques.
Halverson said further, “It’s important during this critical time for folks to continue preparing for the possibility of pandemic influenza in Arkansas. We know that our citizens are concerned. There are many things we can all do to protect ourselves from the spread of disease.”
The following are some simple preparations Arkansans can do now:
- Stay home when you are sick.
- If you are feeling severely ill, call your local physician for advice and guidance.
- Avoid close contact with ill persons.
- Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when coughing and sneezing.
- Wash your hands often. The key is to wash thoroughly with warm, soapy water, and to wash frequently.
- When hand washing is not possible, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes.
- Have a good home preparedness plan. Know what you are going to do should a family member become ill.
- Keep a supply of flu-fighting items on hand such as tissues, over-the-counter medications and a digital thermometer.
Masks are recommended for use in health care settings by ill persons and health care workers only to prevent spread of infection. There is no guarantee that masks would prevent the spread of the infection in the population. However, should you decide to wear a mask during a pandemic influenza outbreak, it is likely you will need to wear it any time you are in a public place or around other household members.
- Pandemic influenza viruses are known to survive on surfaces such as steel and plastic for up to 24 hours and from cloth, paper and tissues for up to eight to 12 hours.
- Viruses can be transferred from surfaces to hands for 24 hours and from tissues to hands for 15 minutes.
- Wipe down any surfaces that may have been contaminated by saliva or other respiratory secretions.
- Use a household disinfectant labeled for use against bacteria and viruses or mix and use one (1) part household bleach to 10 parts water.
- You need to have plenty of regular prescription medications, food and bottled water on hand for your family and pets. Supplies might be difficult to obtain, either because you are too sick to leave your home or grocery stores are not open or have limited supplies.
- Whenever possible, choose foods that you like and usually eat. Be sure and store a variety of foods and beverages from each food group so you’ll be able to eat a balanced, nutritious diet.
For more information on pandemic influenza, call the ADH hotline between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 1-800-651-3493 or click on: www.healthyarkansas.com or www.pandemicflu.gov.
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