Swine flu could be catastophic

Once flu season breaks out this fall, Fairfax County can expect higher than normal rates of illness and death and high absentee rates in the workplace and schools. The Fairfax County Health Department plans to host a series of town hall meetings throughout the county this month to better prepare residents for flu season. Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu, director of health, will explain the county’s swine flu planning and answer questions. The Annandale town hall will be held Friday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m. at the Mason District Governmental Center on Columbia Pike.

While seasonal flu usually has the biggest impact on people 65 and older, the swine flu (H1N1) is more likely to hit younger people. As of Aug. 31, there were more than 182,000 cases of swine flu and 1,799 deaths world wide. Swine flu infections in the Southern hemisphere are declining, but cases are increasing in Asia, and North America can expect a resurgence this fall, along with seasonal flu.

A swine flu vaccine should be available in mid-October. It will probably be given in two doses, 21 to 28 days apart. The first priority for the swine flu vaccine includes health care workers, pregnant women, people in contact with infants under 6 months of age, babies 6 months to 24 months old, and people 25 to 64 with chronic medical conditions. The next level of priority includes children 6 months to age 4 and 5 to 18-year-olds with chronic medical conditions.

The best way to avoid infection is to wash your hands a lot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages students and school staff to stay home for at least 24 hours after a fever as that is the most contagious period. Students who become sick at school should be isolated until they can go home. Additional guidelines for schools that might be implemented in the county include active screening, requiring at-risk students and staff to stay home, requiring students will ill family members to stay home, and school closures.