Governor Charlie Crist and Florida’s Surgeon General, Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros, are on a mission to get the word out that prevention is the best way to halt the spread of swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus.
Crist and Viamonte Ross, visited several Florida schools in Orange County, both spreading the message about the dangers of swine flu and the importance of good hygiene.
With the start of the school year eminent on August 24th, there is growing concern about the time gap between then and when a vaccine for wide use, is likely to come on stream in mid October.
“This has been a relatively mild flu, but it has been difficult for us to determine how virulent it will be in the future,” said Florida Surgeon General Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros.
But because the flu has spread relatively quickly, no chances are being taken and the messages concerning washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, stay home of keep your child at home when flu symptoms appear, are all being reinforced. In fact, health and school officials want parents to wait 24 hours before sending a child back to school if a fever appears or even if a fever reducer reduces the temperature before then.
According to Crist, “We can’t take anything for granted, we have to always be vigilant.”
Crist goes further. He will like parents to remind children to wash their hands thoroughly by using soap and to sing “Happy Birthday” twice allowing sufficient time so their hands are properly washed.
In preparing for swine flu, school buildings, class rooms and school buses are being readied and school districts are working with state and health officials to disinfect facilities. Also, school officials are reviewing their policies, making the needed changes and informing parents that it is okay to keep sick children at home.
Meanwhile, over the week-end, the Space Coast recorded its first swine flu fatality when a 19-year-old High School graduate succumbed to the illness. Tiphani Corley, who battled the flu for one month, died on Saturday night at Shands Hospital in Gainesville.
For more tips on precautions against swine flu, please visit the Department of Health Website: www.myflusafety.com.
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