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Swine flu not as rampant in Clay County |
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Monday, 02 November 2009 |
Davida Hill-Beckum
Daily Times Leader
The H1N1 virus may be causing havoc in surrounding school districts, but this far West Point Public Schools hadve only been “slightly” impacted by the swine flu.
“I am not hearing about a lot of absences, said Steve Montgomery, WPSD superintendent, but we haven't really gotten into the the flu season either.”
According to the Mississippi State Department of Health, there have only been five confirmed case of H1N1 in Clay County, a relatively low number compared to 12 confirmed cases in Lowndes County and 24 confirmed cases in Oktibbeha County.
On Friday, the MSDH announced a limited number of vaccine at all county health department clinics beginning Monday.
Liz Sharlot, director of communications for the Mississippi Department of Health, said Wednesday that the state only recently began its first wave of swine flu vaccine shipments to providers for administering to members of priority groups.
So far, 223,800 doses have been allocated to Mississippi. Of those doses, 146,000 are injectable vaccine and 77,800 are nasal mist vaccine. The first injectable vaccine doses at the county clinics will be available for those in the following priority groups: pregnant women; children six months through four years of age; and parents, siblings, caregivers and anyone else living in the house with an infant under six months of age. These groups are at the highest risk for complications from influenza. The vaccine is free at all county health departments.
“Mississippians have proven to be very gracious in times of limited vaccine availability,” said MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Mary Currier. “We ask everyone to remain patient as those with the highest risk of complications receive their vaccinations first. We’re receiving additional doses each week, and we expect the vaccine will be available for everyone once the priority groups have been vaccinated.”
Next week, MSDH will also begin mass vaccinations for students at various schools throughout the state. The school vaccinations of the nearly 500,000 school-aged children in Mississippians will take several weeks to complete.
“We were contacted by the health department last week, regarding a proposal to issue vaccines to the students,” said Montgomery. “Of course the vaccines will only be issued to students with parent permission.”
The board will vote on the proposal during their Nov. 9 board meeting.
In the meantime any one who experience swine flu symptoms should see their doctor as soon as possible. The symptoms which vary in severity from person to person include fever, loss of appetite, lethargy and coughing. Some experience headaches, vomiting or diarrhea. It's important to see your doctor as soon as possible if you have any symptoms; antiviral drugs can greatly reduce the risks, but they need to be started early.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 03 November 2009 )
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