Press Release
DECEMBER 8th, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
NEWS
MEDIA ONLY: TIM O’CONNOR
PHONE: 561-671-4013
FAX:
561-837-5197 |
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL— The Palm Beach
County Health Department is
continuing its surveillance
and monitoring of the H1N1
Swine flu virus. The
County’s twelfth death was
confirmed today in a 22 year
old female who was
hospitalized. To date the
county has seen 87 persons
hospitalized with the virus
and 42 of those people were
admitted to the ICU.
Health Department Director,
Alina Alonso, M.D. said, “We
extend our sincere
sympathies to the family of
this woman. This pandemic
continues to claim lives, so
it is important for all to
remain alert to the signs
and symptoms of this flu and
seek medical attention if
the fever, coughs and
sneezes worsen.
Unfortunately, the flu virus
can leave vulnerable
individuals susceptible to
opportunistic infection, so
it’s important for those
with chronic illness or
conditions that put them at
risk to get vaccinated
against flu.”
Experience with this virus
shows this strain, like all
influenza, is unpredictable.
However, because novel H1N1
is a new virus, many people
may have little or no
immunity against it, and
illness may be more severe
and widespread as a result.
In addition, it is
recommended those at risk
should get the H1N1 vaccine
to protect against the novel
H1N1 virus.
Dr. Alonso recommends the
following:
People with respiratory
illness should avoid
spreading infections,
including influenza, to
others in the community:
-
Avoid close contact with
people who are coughing or
otherwise appear ill.
-
Avoid touching your
eyes, nose and mouth.
-
Cover your cough and
sneezes
-
Wash hands frequently to
lessen the spread of
respiratory illness.
-
Stay home if you are
sick.
The H1N1 vaccine is now
available to all in Palm
Beach County.
Outreaches
this week for the Free
vaccine are:
-
Christa McAuliffe Middle
School, Boynton Beach
4:30 PM to 8:30 PM Tues,
12-8-2009
-
Jupiter High School,
Jupiter
4 PM to 8 PM Wed,
12-9-2009
-
Boynton Beach High
School, Boynton Beach
6 PM to 10 PM Thurs.,
12-10-2009
-
Lantana Health Center,
1250 Southwinds, Lantana
9 AM to 12:30 PM, Sat,
12-12-2009
-
Palm Beach County Health
Department,
Health Centers
by Appointment Mon-Fri
For further
information about H1N1 Swine
Flu vaccinations call the
Palm Beach County Flu
Information line at Toll
Free at 1- 888-411-4FLU
(4358) or the Florida Flu
Information Line at
877-352-3581. Two websites
are also updated regularly
www.FightFluFlorida.com
or
www.myflusafety.com or
locally information can be
also obtained by calling
211.
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