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flubugHealth Department Begins Free Walk-in H1N1 Clinics in February
Feb. 8, 2010 — Starting in February, the Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department will be changing the way they do vaccinations for H1N1 flu.
On Monday (February 8) and Wednesday (February 10) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on and Saturday (February 20) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., vaccine will be given on a walk-in basis in the Health Department’s Corley Room (lower level, rear parking lot) at 555 Lexington Avenue in Mansfield.
Individuals using the walk-in clinics are asked to bring their driver’s license to speed processing. Vaccines are free for all ages 6-months and older. Nasal mist vaccine will be available to those who medically qualify. A parent or legal guardian must accompany children under age 18.
"The H1N1 virus is still circulating. We have an uncertain future. Although many have been vaccinated, we know many others have not. Therefore, this is an opportunity for those who have not been vaccinated, to do so." said Mary Derr, Public Health Nursing Supervisor and Epidemiologist at the Health Department. "We'll be looking for further directions from ODH (Ohio Department of Health) or CDC (Centers for Disease Control), but in the meantime we will make the H1N1 vaccine available to all those who want it."
The Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department has distributed more than 14,000 H1N1 vaccines through clinics throughout Richland County since October.
Information about H1N1 vaccination schedules can be found on the Health Department website (www.richlandhealth.org) or by calling the H1N1 hotline at 419-774-4542.
The CDC says that flu season continues for several more months and the best defense is getting a flu shot. H1N1 vaccine is readily available and the CDC urges everyone to get vaccinated.
The Health Department continues to recommend everyday actions to stay healthy:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Stay home if you get sick.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Listen to the media for updates throughout the flu season
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H1N1 FLU HOTLINE: Call 419-774-4542

virusalertH1N1 Flu Virus Updates
Last Update: Feb. 8, 2010 — The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that flu activity in the United States is low but is expected to remain active for several more months. The CDC recommends influenza vaccinations as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu.
According to the World Health Organization, (as of Jan. 31) influenza-like illnesses are reported in 209 countries/territories with at least 15,174 deaths reported. Flu activity appears to be declining with South and Southeast Asia remaining active but geographically localized.
The World Health Organization has classified the H1N1 flu virus as a pandemic (prevalent over the whole world).
The Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department continues to monitor the situation with our local emergency response partners within the guidelines from the CDC and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).

The local H1N1 hotline number is: 419-774-4542.

This is a newly emerging flu strain. Until the H1N1 vaccine is available, influenza antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) with activity against influenza viruses, including swine influenza viruses and are routinely used for seasonal flu. Antiviral drugs will be used mainly to treat those diagnosed with the flu virus, not to prevent the flu.
Symptoms of the H1N1virus closely resemble seasonal flu, such as sudden illness or fever, weakness, coughing, lack of appetite, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, headache, or sore throat. H1N1 flu may also include vomitting and diar
If you or members of your family have these symptoms stay at home but contact your doctor. If you do not have a doctor, call the Health Department Clinic at 419-774-4700 or Rapid Response at 419-526-8111.

Click Here for information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Click here for the latest update from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) on the cases of H1N1 in Ohio.
Click here for information about planning and prepardedness and FAQ (excellent section) from the Flu.gov
Click here for information and videos on H1N1 and Handwashing for the deaf and hearing imparied (from the CDC).

Tips for protection from flu and What you can do to stay healthy — Recommendations from the Health Department, ODH and CDC include:
• Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
• 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 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.
• Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

DOWNLOADABLE PDFs --- Guidance on H1N1 Flu (these are large files):
H1N1 - Business Guidance (part 1)
H1N1 - Business Guidance (part 2)
H1N1 - Flu - How to Prevent It
H1N1 - If You Get Sick (part 1)
H1N1 - If You Get Sick (part 2)
H1N1 - Taking Care of Sick Persons (part1)
H1N1 - Taking Care of Sick Persons (part 2)

Other Resources:
Cleaning Products Effective Against Flu Virus
Handwashing poster for downloading in PDF format.
Cover Your Cough poster for downloading in PDF format.

RICHLAND COUNTY HAS FIRST CONFIRMED CASE OF H1N1 FLU -- August 5, 4 p.m.
Richland County, Ohio – Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department officials reported this morning that the first case of Influenza A H1N1 (Swine Flu) in Richland County has been confirmed. Despite the diagnosis, this individual is doing well and has recovered.

The Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department is continuing to monitor the situation with our local emergency response partners within the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). The Ohio Department of health is doing limited testing of people with pandemic flu like symptoms. At this time, symptoms of this Influenza A H1N1 flu have been generally mild.

Symptoms of this Influenza A H1N1 (Swine) flu virus closely resemble seasonal flu, such as sudden onset of illness and one or more of the following: fever, weakness, coughing, lack of appetite, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, headache, or sore throat.

If you or members of your family have these symptoms stay at home but contact your doctor. If you do not have a doctor, call the Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department Clinic at 419-774-4700 or Rapid Response at 419-526-8111.

Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department Health Commissioner, Stan Saalman said, “Vaccine for the pandemic H1N1 (swine) flu is not yet available but is expected to become available in the fall of 2009. It will be important to you to get both the seasonal flu vaccination and the pandemic flu vaccination.” Seasonal flu clinics are being planned by the Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department for the beginning of October and will be announced in the media in September 2009.

While the vaccine is not yet available antiviral medications are available with a prescription from your health care provider. Influenza antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that are routinely used for seasonal flu, as well. Antiviral drugs will be used mainly to treat those diagnosed with the flu virus, not to prevent the flu, and should be taken within 48 hours of the onset of flu like symptoms.

The Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control offer these recommendations to protect yourself and your family from Influenza A H1N1:
• Stay informed. Listen to local media for updates. Health officials will provide additional information as it becomes available
• 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 and thoroughly with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people
• If you get sick with influenza, see your doctor and CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Get your seasonal flu shot.

The local Pandemic Influenza A H1N1 flu hotline number is 419-774-4542. The ODH Influenza A H1N1 flu hotline number is 1-866-800-1404 (8 AM to 5 PM M-F).
Additional information is available on the Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department and CDC Web sites at http://www.richlandhealth.org, http://www.odh.ohio.gov and http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/