PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Pike County is working to keep its population prepared in the event of an outbreak of H1N1 influenza, officials said Tuesday at a meeting that brought together several agencies to inform the public about the various plans in place to deal with the virus.

William Hacker, MD, FAAP, CPE, is the commissioner for the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH). He explained the term ‘pandemic’ refers to any infection that goes around the world. He said a major influenza pandemic hits the world on the average of every 25 years.

“In 1915, there was the Spanish Flu, then there were major outbreaks in 1957 and again in 1968,” he said. “The KDPH was been working to prepare for this flu since 2002.”

Dr. Hacker said the Southeastern U.S. has a higher concentration of cases than the rest of the nation, possibly due to the fact that the public school term begins earlier, so that children have had more opportunity to come in contact with the virus. He gave a short time line of the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, in the commonwealth.

“On April 24 of this year, cable news reported about a flu outbreak in Mexico,” he said. “The KDHP notified local health departments around Kentucky to be on the lookout, and on April 26, the federal government declared a public health emergency. The first case in Kentucky was reported April 30.”

He described a flu outbreak, which strikes in waves. Sometimes a flu virus can mutate, he said, but that is not the case with H1N1.

“In 1915, when the second wave of the Spanish Flu hit, the virus came back stronger than the original influenza,” he said. “We are now in the second wave of cases of H1N1. But, this virus has not changed.”

H1N1 does not have a higher mortality rate than seasonal flu, which is the influenza that many people get every winter.

“We want to calm some anxiety,” Dr. Hacker said. “If you get this flu, you should only be sick a few days, just like any other influenza.”

Older Americans seemed to have developed an immunity to H1N1, Hacker explained, saying this immunity probably developed in the 1940s and 1950s.

“Sixty percent of those who have died from this flu were less than 60 years old,” he said. “Forty three percent of those were between 25 and 30, and three quarters of those people had underlying chronic health conditions.”

These health issues affect 15 to 20 percent of the population, Dr. Hacker explained. Conditions that make the threat of H1N1 more dangerous include pregnancy, diabetes, heart, kidney or liver disorders. chronic lung disease and morbid obesity.

Age is also a factor in determining who is more likely to get the flu. Children under five, especially those less than 2 years old, are susceptible to the virus.

He said people in these groups should definitely get a flu immunization.

“The first priority should those who are especially vulnerable,” he said. “Such as pregnant women and diabetics.”

He said since older Americans are not at as much risk of contracting the virus, they do not need to be some of the first to get a flu shot.

Doug Tackett, Director of Pike County Emergency Management, said the county is prepared to keep essential services, such as water and garbage pickup, going during an outbreak.

“We have worked with the health department to help get information out to the public,” Tackett said. “We continue to work with the Board of Education and the Fiscal Court. The OES has also distributed protective equipment to county employees.”

Roger Johnson, assistant superintendent of the Pike County Board of Education, said the board has had a plan in place for a major flu outbreak for four years.

“Our plan is fluid, so it can be changed to meet our needs,” Johnson said. “Last year, we developed an H1N1 plan, and then on Aug. 7, the Center for Disease Control changed their recommendations for schools, but we were able to adapt.”

He said Pike County Schools is the 11th largest district in the state, and problems at schools can affect many people.

“We have 10,000 students, 1700 full time employees and 800 to 900 part time employees,” Johnson explained. “If you add all these people’s families, it adds up to 18 percent of the population of the county. We started training our employees in July how to clean surfaces and things like that, as well as teaching children about the importance of washing their hands.”

If people do contract H1N1, they are urged to stay home to help contain the virus. Avoid contact except to get medical care. Patients do not necessarily need to visit an emergency room if they suspect they have the flu. The CDC asks that people not use the ER unless they are very sick or are at high risk of flu complications.

There are drugs doctors can prescribe for treating both seasonal and H1N1 flu called “antivirals” which may shorten recovery periods and prevent serious complications. A health care provider can determine if these antivirals are needed to treat your illness.

The CDC recommends people who have influenza stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone, except to get medical attention, and to stay away from others as much as possible. If you must leave home, wear a facemask if you have one, or cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue.

Hand washing is one of most important things people can do to help from catching the flu. If you are unable to wash your hands frequently, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Dr. Hacker of the KDPH says emergencies such as a flu outbreak and severe weather such as floods are nature’s “pop quizzes,” helping public agencies know if they are prepared.

“Bad things happen,” he said. “These things let us know how well we deal with disasters.”

The Pike County health department will hold three clinics designed to test the health department’s ability to respond to a public health emergency. Drive-thru flu clinics will be held October 2 at Shelby Valley High School, East Ridge High School and Belfry High School, from 10 a.m. yo 12 p.m. or until all the shots are given away. The immunizations are being offered on a first come, first served basis.

If you come to one of the clinics, please wear clothes that can provide easy access to your upper arm. One lane will be designated for vans or vehicles with more than four people, and people are urged to car pool.

For more information about the clinics, call the health department at 606 437-5500. To learn about influenza, visit www.cdc.gov or www.flu.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

Emergency warning signs for H1N1

In children

• Fast breathing or

trouble breathing

• Bluish skin color

• Not drinking enough fluids

• Not waking up or

not interacting

• Being irritable

• Flu-like symptoms improve, but then worsen

• Fever with a rash

In adults

• Difficulty breathing

• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

• Sudden dizziness

• Confusion

• Severe or persistent

vomiting