Many of the area schools are reporting very high numbers of students out due to sickness. 

Remember IF YOU FEEL SICK OR HAVE A FEVER you should not be where large numbers of people gather such as School, Work, Enclosed recreation events, Church or any other place where it would easy for others to catch what you have.

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

  • Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

Visit http://www.adph.org/H1N1Flu/index.asp?id=3571 for more info

NEWS RELEASE
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
RSA Tower 201 Monroe Street, Suite 914 Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone 334-206-5300 Fax 334-206-5534
www.adph.org
Influenza-like illnesses remain widespread in Alabama
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9-28-09
Alabama has experienced an elevated number of influenza-like illnesses during the past six
weeks. About 18 percent of emergency room patients and 9 percent of patients presenting in
doctors’ offices reported having flu-like symptoms, according to reports from Alabama
physicians and hospitals participating in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s influenza
surveillance and the Alabama Incident Management System (AIMS).
Of 51 positive specimens tested by the Bureau of Clinical Laboratories last week, 50 were
confirmed as 2009 H1N1 influenza. Three to 4 percent of hospital admissions in Alabama were
for influenza, and most admissions were among patients in the 25- to 49-year-old age range.
During the first week in October approximately 51,000 doses of H1N1 live virus nasal mist
influenza vaccine are expected to be delivered to Alabama for distribution to health care
providers for targeted at-risk populations. By Nov. 1 the state of Alabama should receive
approximately 500,000 doses of vaccine.
More than 1,000 health care providers in Alabama have indicated they want to order H1N1
influenza vaccine for their patients. Starting at noon Tuesday, licensed health care providers will
be able to order H1N1 influenza vaccine through an online ordering system established by the
Alabama Department of Public Health. Vaccine will be shipped as soon as it becomes available.
At this time, only one H1N1 immunization is needed for appropriate protection for individuals
over 9 years of age. The department will be working with schools to set up voluntary clinics for
H1N1 immunization. Written permission will be required.
Shortages of the antiviral medications in some areas have led the health department to release
medications from the Strategic National Stockpile to physicians and pharmacists. Of the
700,000 courses stockpiled, more than 64,000 have been distributed.
Eight Alabama residents who were positive for H1N1 influenza have died this year, and other
potential cases are being investigated. Deaths have occurred in residents of Bullock, Dale,
Houston, Jackson, Jefferson, Macon, Montgomery and Russell counties.
The department is also launching a toll-free influenza information hotline for the public today.
Call the ADPH Flu Hotline at 877-377-7285 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday for
information and referrals. Other information is available at www.adph.org/

What to Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms