State launches new flu Website
The state Department of Health has launched a new Website including several helpful links to help businesses prepare for the expected spread of swine flu later this year.
The site, www.doh.wa.gov/h1n1 includes statistics on the number of deaths and hospitalizations statewide since the pandemic’s arrival last spring.
The site launched as news broke that swine flu is spreading as expected across the United States and has been recorded in all 50 states. Vaccines for seasonal flu already are available in many locations while swine flu vaccine is expected to be available by mid October.
First on the list for swine flu eligibility will be health workers, children and young adults, pregnant women and others with health problems.
Michael Loehr, Seattle and King County Public Health’s Preparedness Director, urged employers not to require doctor’s notes for people who have overcome flu symptoms before returning to work. Loehr is concerned doctors do not have enough time to handle such demand for notes.
Instead, Loehr urged people who get sick to wait until they have overcome a fever for at least 24 hours before returning to work.
Sources: Emergency Management Division, MSNBC.com
|