TUSCOLACOUNTY
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Phone: 989-673-8114 1309 Cleaver Road, Suite B, Caro, MI48723-9160 Fax: 989-673-7490
Russell L. Bush, M.D., M.P.H., Medical Director www.tchd.us Gretchen Tenbusch, R.N., M.S.A. Health Officer
October 22, 2009
Dear Parent:
The Tuscola County Health Department is reporting that there are confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus within our community.There is now wide spread activity of the H1N1 virus being reported across Michigan, which, has caused mild to severe illness and hospitalizations in both adults and children. Because children do not have immunity to this virus, they have been most affected by it and are considered at high risk of infection. There are many things we can do to keep our schools, our communities, and our homes flu-free.
1. Keep your child home if he/she is sick.
• The H1N1 virus along with the seasonal influenza spread easily. If you suspect your child is getting or has the flu, it is important that he/she does not attend school or go anywhere else—such as group childcare, the mall, or sporting events—where other people would be exposed to flu germs. The fever must be normal for 24 hours(without fever-reducing medications) before the child returns to school, work, or daycare.
2. Teach your child how to reduce their risk of getting and spreading the flu viruses.
- Teach children to wash their hands often. Washing with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds is best (that is about as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice).
- Teach children the proper use of hand sanitizer. Gels, rubs, and hand wipes all work well, as long as they contain at least 60% alcohol. Throw the wipe in the trash after it is used.
- Teach children to cough or sneeze into their sleeve—not their hands! They should cover coughs and sneezes by coughing into the inside of their elbows.
- Teach children to avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
3. Vaccination:
To protect yourself from becoming ill there is a 2009 H1N1 vaccine to help protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza (flu) virus. A flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against flu infection. At this time a limited amount of both the inactivated injectable vaccine and the live-attenuated nasal spray is available. All of our after- school clinics are postponed until our supplies of the vaccine are adequate to conduct clinics. Until further notice we will be using the CDC subset priority groups for Limited Vaccine Availability.
- pregnant women,
- persons who live with or provide care for infants aged <6 months (e.g., parents, siblings, and daycare providers),
- health-care and emergency medical services personnel who have direct contact with patients or infectious material,
- children aged 6 months--4 years, and
- children and adolescents aged 5--18 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications
Children and healthy young adults between the ages of 2-24 years of age, with no chronic illnesses such as asthma, would be eligible for the H1N1 flu mist nasal spray. The nasal spray is the live-attenuated (weakened) vaccine; as compared to the inactivated vaccine (injectable), that the above group will be receiving. The nasal spray does not contain thimerosal or other preservatives. Healthy children and young adults between the ages of 2-24 years of age who do not want the nasal spray will need to wait until we receive adequate supplies of inactivated vaccine.
A walk in clinic will be held on:
Parents or Legal Guardians must be present for children under age 18, no exceptions.
October 28th, from 9:00am-6:30pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall (KofC) 903 Ryan Rd. Caro, MI 48723.
Your child will be screened for eligibility using the above criteria. This clinic is on a first come first serve basis.
School leaders, along with state and local health officials are monitoring closely, the situation and will inform parents as soon as possible if school dismissals occur. However, it is important to plan ahead. Have a family discussion now, and decide who would care for your child if his/her school were dismissed.If school is dismissed, it is important that students not gather together at another location, but rather stay home to avoid exposing other people.
Stay informed! Get the most up-to-date information from:
Sincerely, Sincerely,
Russell L. Bush, M.D., M.P.H., Ann Hepfer R.N.B.S
Medical Director Nursing Administrator