World Health Organization declares pandemic Phase 6 for H1N1 Flu

  • Published
  • By Capt. Sarah Speth
  • 3rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The World Health Organization announced that the pandemic alert level was raised to six June 11. This change is based on the geographic spread of the virus to other parts of the world and doesn't necessarily mean the illness caused by H1N1 flu is more severe. 

As of June 12, 74 countries have reported 29,669 cases of H1N1 infection, including 145 deaths. There have been 14 cases in Alaska, with two in Anchorage. Alaska health officials responded to H1N1 flu since the first cases were reported in the United States and continues to closely monitor the situation. The state has taken steps to distribute antiviral drugs statewide, obtain a vaccine (when one becomes available), and provide the latest information to health care providers, public health officials and the public.

There are a number of ways you and your family can reduce the risk of catching H1N1 flu:
- Avoid people with the flu
- Wash hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Wash hands before eating or touching your face, after touching surfaces that someone might have coughed or sneezed on, after going out into the community, and after caring for someone, who has the flu, or touching something that someone, who is sick, may have touched.
-There is currently no vaccine to protect against H1N1 flu.

Just like the regular flu, when people catch H1N1 flu they may have a fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. If sick, there a number of things you can do to reduce the chances of passing H1N1 flu to others:
- Stay home from work or school.
- Limit contact with others.
- Cough and sneeze into disposable tissues.
- Throw these tissues away into a plastic bag.
- Limit your exposure to the dirty tissues.
- Those with flu should use separate eating utensils that are washed in hot soapy water after each meal.
- Don't share objects like remote controls or pens.
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces like door knobs, remote controls, light switches and toilet handles.

An effective disinfectant can be made using one-fourth cup of household bleach and 1 gallon of cold water.

If you think you have H1N1 flu, contact your health care provider. The provider will be able to determine if you need testing or treatment. When you come into the Medical Group, be sure to take one of the sneeze bags provided at the entrances and use the mask to cover your face.

More information is available at www.pandemicflu.alaska.gov and at www.cdc.gov/swineflu.