As the number of H1N1 influenza — formerly referred to as swine flu — cases continues to rise across the state and nation, local health officials said Pottawatomie County remains clear, but they repeated previous cautions, especially for those with lowered immune systems.
“To date, there haven’t been any confirmed cases in Pottawatomie County,” said Tina Johnson, administrative director of Pottawatomie, Seminole, Okfuskee and Hughes county health departments.
“However, the state health department anticipates more cases coming up, and the risks can be more serious to those who have compromised immune systems.”
Most cases so far have been mild, Johnson said, including that of a Seminole teenager who was listed among the confirmed cases last week.
“The teenager in Seminole recovered fully and needed no hospitalization,” Johnson said.
But for those with lower immunity, such as the elderly, the very young or those with chronic illnesses, complications are more likely and could include pneumonia or other respiratory problems, Johnson said.
Johnson said although the health departments have tests available, they suggest for those who have symptoms to visit their primary care physicians who will make determinations regarding whether testing is necessary for their individual cases.
“Our tests are more for a situation where a person doesn’t have a primary care physician,” Johnson said.
“We prefer those who have a regular physician see them first so they may be evaluated and treated, if necessary.”
Johnson again stressed the importance of maintaining good health by exercising prevention methods, such as hand washing, and by visiting a local physician if symptoms arise and staying home from work or school when ill.
Vicki Milliken, director of infection control at Unity Health Center, agreed with Johnson.
“We continue to recommend that you keep covering coughs and use hand hygiene,” Milliken said.
Milliken added that no confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus have been seen at Unity Health Center so far.
For more information about H1N1, call the Pottawatomie County Health Department at 405-273-2157 or the state swine flu hotline at 1-866-278-7134 or visit the Centers for Disease Control Web site at www.cdc.gov or the state health department Web site at www.health.ok.gov.
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Johnna Ray may be reached at 214-3934.
SHAWNEE, Okla. —
