County prepared for swine flu, officials say

Hamilton County health officials say they’re prepared for any swine flu outbreak and have been since 2007.

The health department has had a local pandemic plan in place since 2007, said Becky Barnes, administrator of the Hamilton County Health Department, at a news conference Monday.

There now are no cases of swine flu in the county, “so a lot of our efforts focus on preparation,” she said.

Dawn Ford, emergency response coordinator at the health department, said the department has increased routine surveillance activities with physicians who volunteer to report how many patients they see with fever of 100 degrees or higher with a cough and/or sore throat. The department wants physicians to take nasal swabs on all patients with those symptoms.

She said the department also is developing a Web page on swine flu that will be available in the next few days.

You cannot catch the virus from eating pork products, health officials said.

The incubation period is similar to other flu viruses, usually less than seven days and often one to three days, health officials said. People who have traveled to Mexico in the last seven days and experience flu-like symptoms should see a doctor, they said.

The department also is trying to reach out through various publications to the area’s Hispanic community that might be traveling back and forth to areas of Mexico impacted by the virus, officials said.

Margaret Zylstra, epidemiology supervisor for the department, said people should cover their mouths and noses when coughing and sneezing, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, avoid contact with those who are ill and wash their hands frequently.

If you get sick, stay home from work and school, she said.