For Immediate Release

June 11, 2009

Contact:            Vicki L. Duey, Four Corners Health Department

                            402-362-2621, toll free 877-337-3573

World Health Organization Declares Pandemic Flu Phase 6

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the current phase of alert in the Global Influenza Preparedness Plan to a full pandemic (level 6). The move to Phase 6 is really an alert that the spread of the H1N1 virus is now expected to travel the globe and those nations where the virus has yet to arrive should expect to eventually see cases and be prepared to respond.  As “pandemic” means worldwide epidemic, a WHO Phase 6 means that the virus is spreading across the globe.  What the WHO phases do NOT do is predict the severity of the virus. Although the virus continues to spread to other countries, the disease continues to be a mild one for the most part.  Health Officials are not seeing significant changes in the virus in samples from various countries.

Our goal since the outbreak began has been to try and step one step ahead of this unpredictable virus and do the planning and preparation necessary to keep Americans safe and secure.   We have been preparing for a pandemic and been implementing our pandemic response plan for the past few weeks here in this country  - anti-virals have been distributed to the states, work has begun to produce a vaccine, state and local officials are working on community disease  prevention strategies as well as monitoring and tracking the virus around the country, The United States has been responding to the H1N1 flu in a way that balances the health of our residents while minimizing disruption to society.  We at Four Corners will continue to provide guidance using the most current scientific data available to us about the H1N1 flu, said Vicki Duey the Four Corners Health Department, Executive Director.

YOU Have a Role in protecting yourself and your family.

• Stay informed. Health officials will provide additional information as it becomes available.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. .
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick, with flu like symptoms do not go to work or school for 7 days or until your symptoms go away (whichever is long). This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
• Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of extra food, medicines, facemasks and other essential supplies.

For further information please feel free to contact our office at 362-2621 (toll free 877-337-3573).  We can be reached by email at questions@fourcorners.ne.gov, or check our website: www.fourcorners.ne.gov