County residents remain safe, officials ready for H1N1 Flu

No suspected cases of Swine Flu have presented in Plymouth County, but the first case has been confirmed in eastern Iowa.

Plymouth County health officials are prepared if the H1N1 influenza, which was previously called Swine flu, is found here.

Deb Steffen, county public health nurse, has been in constant contact with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) to stay abreast of what's happening throughout the state.

"We've been sharing information with the local health care providers like the medical clinics, schools and emergency management," Steffen said. "(We are) keeping them informed about what symptoms to look for, what testing should be done and how to report."

Suspected cases of H1N1 influenza must be reported to the IDPH, Steffen said.

Gov. Chet Culver declared a public health emergency in Iowa after the IDPH and the U.S. Centers for Disease Controls (CDC) confirmed the first case of H1N1 influenza in Iowa. Results of a second probable case reported last Wednesday came back negative.

The first confirmed case involves a southeast Iowa adult female who became ill last week after returning from Mexico. She traveled through Johnson, Des Moines and Muscatine counties, according to a IDPH news release.

Of the current probable H1N1 flu cases, six are in Marshall County and one in Tama County.

Plymouth County health officials and community members have been planning in case of a pandemic, a widespread outbreak of disease, for a number of years, Steffen said.

"We've been told now that those plans will probably be modified," she said. "Those plans are based on prevention, but will probably be more on treatment."

A couple of years ago the group performed a drill during a flu clinic where it tested a mass vaccination plan, inoculating about 100 people an hour, Steffen said.

"That's something we would implement if a vaccine became available," she said.

Currently there is no H1N1 influenza vaccine.

Health officials are also working to put together a treatment protocol as to how to treat a case of H1N1 influenza if one comes in, Steffen said.

If people think they are experiencing H1N1 influenza symptoms, they should call their health care provider before going to the hospital, said Ann Cole-Nelson, Floyd Valley Hospital's community relations manager.

"Call ahead to the general hospital number and you will be put in touch with the nursing staff, and we will make proper steps for your arrival," Cole-Nelson said. "There are masks at the entry points and you will be asked to put one on."

Every entrance to FVH will also have a sign listing possible symptoms of H1N1 influenza. If people think they may be infected should enter the hospital through the emergency doors.

Peg Heidesch, a registered nurse and head nurse at Medical Associates, said people should take the same course of action when coming to the clinic.

"We would direct them to come in a different entrance than the main one," Heidesch said. "If you think you have it, call."

Although there is no vaccine available to combat H1N1 influenza, antivirals like Tamiflu and Relenza are still effective, but they can only be obtained with a physician's prescription, Steffen said.

"They don't want people to stockpile because then we're going to run out," she said. "There is a pretty good stockpile both on the federal level and the state level. They are trying to get it to areas that need it most."

Symptoms with H1N1 influenza to watch for include fever greater than 100 degrees and recent onset of at least one of the following cough, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion.

Steffen has seen some people in Plymouth County wearing masks over their nose and mouths, but that is "definitely" not necessary at this time, she said.

The best preventative measures people can take is washing their hands frequently, covering coughs with their sleeves and staying home if they are sick, Steffen said.

"If you've traveled to a place with a confirmed case or been in contact with someone with a confirmed case and feel like you have the symptoms, call your health care provider," Steffen said.

Testing for H1N1 influenza is done through a nasal swab, the identical test that is used to diagnose seasonal influenza, which can present with many of the same symptoms as H1N1 influenza, Steffen said.

Peg Heidesch, a registered nurse and head nurse at Medical Associates, said the clinic has not seen any suspected cases of H1N1 influenza.

If they do present, the nasal swab would be done and then sent to the University of Iowa Hygienic Lab, which would then forward it to the CDC, Heidesch said.

In addition to county officials being prepared for the potential threat of a H1N1 influenza, it's also important for business leaders and individuals to think ahead, said Gary Junge, Plymouth County Emergency Management coordinator.

"We would like to get the information out to private businesses and other organizations to consider a work plan if the pandemic does spread," Junge said. "Follow the guidelines the public health has been putting out."

Families also need to be prepared by making plans like how will members get basic supplies, fill prescriptions if they become sick and have to stay home, Junge said.

People should also have a list of emergency numbers for doctors, hospitals, pharmacists before they feel ill, he said.

"It's a lot easier to do it before the emergency or need arises," Junge said.

Possible pull out box:

Updated information about H1N1 influenza can be found through a link on FVH's website www.floydvalleyhospital.org under Quick Links, the IDPH website www.idph.state.ia.us. or www.governor.iowa.gov.

An influenza hotline 1-800-447-1985 has been established by the IDPH to answer public questions about the disease. A separate hotline for health care providers is available at 1-866-282-5815.