Spring Break
Illinois getting ready in case swine flu arrives
Local agencies prepare for potential cases
Matt Hopf / News Editor
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: News
Illinois has not seen any cases of the swine flu, but local agencies continue to prepare for cases.
The Illinois Department of Public Health has tested several suspected cases, but none were positive for swine flu.
Dr. Sheila Baker, medical director at Health Service, said students and faculty should familiarize themselves with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations that are linked on Eastern's home page.
"We, as a public health institution, are receiving updates from the state constantly," Dr. Baker said.
She also suggested that people become familiar with the symptoms including fever, cough, body aches, fatigue, headaches and even diarrhea.
Baker said the fevers would be over 100 degrees.
Swine flu could be confused with other illnesses as well.
One of the important things to remember is the sign, and symptoms of swine flu can be similar to other flus and viruses," Baker said.
Ramona Tomshack, infection control practitioner at the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, said health workers are looking for people who have traveled to Mexico recently.
"What we are looking for is people who have traveled to Mexico or have been in contact with someone who has been to Mexico," she said.
Nationwide, more than 60 confirmed cases have been reported across five states, but more illnesses that may be linked to the virus are being reported.
Swine flu is suspected to have killed more than 150 people in Mexico.
There were no probable cases in Illinois as of Tuesday, IDPH spokeswoman Melaney Arnold told The Associated Press.
Any cases the IDPH thinks are probable incidents of swine flu will be sent to the CDC for confirmation.
"The best thing to do if you are coming down with the symptoms is to contact your health care provider," Tomshack said.
Gregg Baker, emergency response coordinator for the Coles County Health Department, said people should practice basic hygiene including washing hands and sneezing into a tissue or shirt sleeve.
He said the health department has been working with Sarah Bush and Health Service to get information out about the swine flu.
"We don't know if this is the big one or not," Gregg Baker said. He suggested if people show symptoms, they should stay home or see their doctor.
For More Information
http://www.eiu.edu/~health/clinic/info/swineflu.php
http://www.co.coles.il.us./cchd/index.html
Editor in Chief Kristina Peters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Matt Hopf can be reached at 581-7942 or at mthopf@eiu.edu.
The Illinois Department of Public Health has tested several suspected cases, but none were positive for swine flu.
Dr. Sheila Baker, medical director at Health Service, said students and faculty should familiarize themselves with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations that are linked on Eastern's home page.
"We, as a public health institution, are receiving updates from the state constantly," Dr. Baker said.
She also suggested that people become familiar with the symptoms including fever, cough, body aches, fatigue, headaches and even diarrhea.
Baker said the fevers would be over 100 degrees.
Swine flu could be confused with other illnesses as well.
One of the important things to remember is the sign, and symptoms of swine flu can be similar to other flus and viruses," Baker said.
Ramona Tomshack, infection control practitioner at the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, said health workers are looking for people who have traveled to Mexico recently.
"What we are looking for is people who have traveled to Mexico or have been in contact with someone who has been to Mexico," she said.
Nationwide, more than 60 confirmed cases have been reported across five states, but more illnesses that may be linked to the virus are being reported.
Swine flu is suspected to have killed more than 150 people in Mexico.
There were no probable cases in Illinois as of Tuesday, IDPH spokeswoman Melaney Arnold told The Associated Press.
Any cases the IDPH thinks are probable incidents of swine flu will be sent to the CDC for confirmation.
"The best thing to do if you are coming down with the symptoms is to contact your health care provider," Tomshack said.
Gregg Baker, emergency response coordinator for the Coles County Health Department, said people should practice basic hygiene including washing hands and sneezing into a tissue or shirt sleeve.
He said the health department has been working with Sarah Bush and Health Service to get information out about the swine flu.
"We don't know if this is the big one or not," Gregg Baker said. He suggested if people show symptoms, they should stay home or see their doctor.
For More Information
http://www.eiu.edu/~health/clinic/info/swineflu.php
http://www.co.coles.il.us./cchd/index.html
Editor in Chief Kristina Peters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Matt Hopf can be reached at 581-7942 or at mthopf@eiu.edu.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
John Poshepny
posted 4/29/09 @ 10:07 AM CST
One was announced today. Also I think the Media is overreacting. I enjoy laughing at all the Media about this, I won't argue that reminding people to wash there hands is a good thing but I'm sorry the Media is going overboard. (Continued…)
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