PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NAVAJO AREA I.H.S. ISSUES SWINE FLU UPDATE

Window Rock, Arizona ---Navajo Area Indian Health Service (NAIHS) stated today that it is monitoring very closely the influenza cases of swine origin that are spreading from human to human in several states in the U.S., including one confirmed case in Arizona.  In response to the federal government’s declaration of a public health emergency in the U.S. on Sunday, April 26, 2009, NAIHS is reviewing and implementing emergency response measures for the Navajo Area. 

The Area Office activated their Incident Command Team on April 28, 2009 to coordinate the NAIHS’ response to the emerging health threat.  Service units are actively preparing for the emergency response and a major communications network has been established. 

Since 2006, NAIHS and local health partners have participated in pandemic flu exercises and emergency preparedness activities to improve the local health care system’s response to situations such as the current swine flu outbreak.  NAIHS met with and will continue to meet with the Navajo Nation to plan and coordinate emergency response efforts.

Health care providers, pharmacists, and other personnel will continue to be provided with the most up- to-date information available on swine flu activities.  NAIHS is also assessing areas such as the existing supply of medical supplies and there are discussions occurring with local states and counties regarding the distribution of antiviral drugs in the event that there are cases in the local area.

The swine influenza A virus is contagious and can be spread from human to human, mainly through coughing or sneezing or by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching the nose,  mouth, or eyes. Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick.  People with swine flu can pass the flu to another person before they are sick and while they are sick.

The spread of germs can be reduced by taking the following steps:

1.      If you are feeling sick, stay home from work, school, or public places.  Avoid contact with other people so that you don’t infect others.

2.      Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or cough into your arms.  Throw the tissue away after you use it.

3.      Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.  Use hand sanitizers if you are not near any running water and soap.

4.      Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.  Germs spread this way.

5.      Do not shake hands if you are sick.

6.      Avoid close contact with sick people.   

7.      Some good health habits to follow to prevent getting sick are to get plenty of sleep, be physically active, eat nutritious food, drink plenty of fluids, and manage your stress.

Signs and symptoms of the swine flu are fever over 100 degrees F., cough, sore throat, headache, body aches, chills, and extreme fatigue.  Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting with swine flu. 

Most mild cases of the swine flu can be managed at home.  Seek medical care immediately if you have any of the following warning signs:

In Children:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing;

Bluish skin color;

Not drinking enough fluids;

Not waking up or not interacting;

Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held;

Flu like symptoms get better but return with a fever and worse cough; or,

Fever with a rash.

 Adult emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention are:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath;

Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen;

Sudden dizziness;

Confusion; or,

Severe or persistent vomiting.

 Most people who get swine flu recover fully within 1 to 2 weeks.  So far, all of the cases, except one, in the U.S. have recovered.

 There is no vaccine for the swine flu available at this time since the virus is very new.

 There are many resources with information on the swine flu, including websites and toll free telephone numbers.  For example, www.cdc.gov or www.azdhs.gov has swine flu information updates.

 The Navajo Area I.H.S. will provide periodic updates on the rapidly changing swine flu situation.  For more information, contact Jenny Notah at (928) 871-5821.