Administration - Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health

NEWS RELEASE: 2009

NEWS RELEASE
Sept. 23, 2009

H1N1 Influenza Confirmed in Cerro Gordo County
— Health Message Remains the Same —

(Mason City) — The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health announces that H1N1 influenza A (swine flu) virus has been confirmed in Cerro Gordo County.

“There have been reports of flu-like symptoms in our area. The H1N1 flu strain is the one currently circulating,” said Karen Crimmings, RN, service manager of disease prevention and investigation at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health.

The symptoms of H1N1 are basically the same as seasonal influenza. They include fever (usually 100 F or higher), sore throat, headache, extreme tiredness, cough, muscle aches. One thing that has been different, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health, is people with H1N1 do not always have the high fever. Also, some people, especially children, might also experience diarrhea or vomiting.

Even though H1N1 is now confirmed, the message from health officials remains the same.

“It doesn’t matter which type of influenza is in the community. We ask residents to follow the same precautions,” Crimmings said.

Those precautions are:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
If possible, stay home from work, school and don’t run errands when you’re sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
Stay away from others for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (without using fever-reducing medication) except to get medical care or other necessities.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Wash your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

The Iowa Department of Public Health reports that most people who have been sick with the H1N1 virus have recovered without needing medical treatment or hospitalization.

Even so, residents should be aware that if your symptoms worsen, contact your health care provider and ask if you should seek medical care. Some people will become more ill, according to State Epidemiologist Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. When you develop a very high fever, have trouble breathing, please contact your healthcare provider, she said.

H1N1 vaccine is expected to arrive in our area sometime in October, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “As soon as we have details about that, we will let the public know,” said Crimmings.

The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health has many resources available for people who would like more information about seasonal flu and H1N1 influenza.

For people unable to access the internet, hard copies of this information will be provided at the Health Department, 22 N. Georgia Ave. Suite 300 in downtown Mason City.

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