Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon wants to provide our membership with the most up-to-date information about the recent outbreak of H1N1 flu. With cases confirmed in the double-digits, U.S. officials have declared a public health emergency. Time will tell if this occurrence of swine flu becomes an epidemic over a wide geographic area and affecting a large proportion of the population, which would make it a full-blown pandemic.
The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, although people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu as well. Areas where the flu has been reported include New York, Southern California, Texas, Kansas, Ohio and Mexico.
Some questions that may be helpful to you and your congregation/organization:
- What can I, as an individual, do to prevent contracting any type of flu? How might I prepare for a pandemic flu outbreak?
- How will this affect my church/congregation/organization?
The following are some resources that may provide information that will be helpful to you not only as an individual, but also to your congregation.
Oregon Department of Human Services "Public Health Flu Hotline"
Oregonians now have access to one-stop shopping for all their flu concerns by calling the Oregon Public Health Flu Hotline, 1-800-978-3040. Specially trained call takers can tell callers about vaccine availability and answer many basic flu questions. Call takers can also connect people with a nurse who can provide information about flu symptoms and concerns about flu exposure, and when to see a doctor. These services are available throughout the state, in most languages, and the call is free. The Oregon Public Health Flu Hotline is open from Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; weekends and holidays 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Government site on Pandemic Flu and the workplace:
www.pandemicflu.gov/faq/workplace_questions/
CDC links regarding H1N1 flu and travel precautions:
www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services:
"Faith-based Organizations and Pandemic Preparedness"
Please consider distributing these valuable resources to members of your congregation as well as your community.
There is no reason for panic but many reasons to be prepared. Please contact Jan Elfers, EMO Membership Relations Director, if you have additional information at (503) 221-1054, ext. 208.
