H1N1 Press Release
August 25, 2009
FOR RELEASE August 26, 2009
August 21, 2009
Contact: Ericka Klingner
Putnam County Health Department
660-947-2429
klinge@lpha.mopublic.org
The first positive case of H1N1 influenza in Putnam County was
confirmed last week by the Missouri State Public Health
Laboratory.
“We knew it was just a matter of time before we had a confirmed
case in our county,” said Ericka Klingner, the Putnam County Health
Department Administrator. “We will most likely continue to see an
increase in cases and people just need to be aware of what they can
do to stay healthy.”
There are every day actions people can take to stay healthy:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or
sneeze.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that
way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Symptoms of H1N1 influenza are similar to those of seasonal
influenza and may include: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches,
headache, chills, fatigue and runny or stuffy nose. A significant
number of people who have been infected also have reported diarrhea
and vomiting.
Seek medical care if you become sick with flu-like symptoms. If you
do become ill the recommendation is to stay home from work or
school for at least 24 hours after fever has subsided without the
use of fever reducing medicines.
There are medicines to treat H1N1 influenza and both options
require a prescription. Vaccine production for H1N1 is currently
underway and once available will initially focus on key populations
including those who are at higher risk of disease or complications,
those who are likely to come in contact with novel H1N1, and those
who could infect young infants. While the seasonal influenza
vaccine will not protect against H1N1, it is still very important
that people get their seasonal flu vaccine as usual.
For more information please visit www.putnamcohealthdept.org or
www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu.
