Elkhart County officials encourage people to practice caution

By TOM MOORTribune Staff Writer

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Officials held a meeting on Wednesday at the Elkhart County Health Department to inform the public about Elkhart's status in regards to swine flu, and to urge that people take the proper precautions. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Apr 29, 2009 at 12:03 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 29, 2009 at 12:12 PM EST

ELKHART — Although nobody has been tested in Elkhart County for swine flu, officials here urged residents to take precautions to avoid contracting the virus.

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Officials are asking people to stay at home from school and work if they’re sick, and encouraging employers to be sympathetic to their employees’ needs, considering today’s economic climate "might encourage people to go to work even when they’re sick."

Residents should exercise caution if they’ve come down with symptoms of the swine flu — now called Influenza A (H1N1)/North American/Human — or have been around someone that has recently traveled to a highly-affected area.

"Cover your mouth when coughing and wash hands," said Dr. Aixsa Perez, of the Elkhart County Health Department. "If you’re sick, stay at home. This is the time to be selfish. By staying at home, you’re protecting yourself and others."

Perez said if you think you have the virus, contact a doctor first before going to the emergency room.

Perez downplayed the possibility that Elkhart County could be at a heightened state of risk because of a large Hispanic population, saying: "People are not more prone to it because of their ethnicity, but if they’ve traveled or been around someone that has traveled with the symptoms."

John Hutching, a representative with the Elkhart Community School Corp., said he was meeting with principals Wednesday and "telling parents we are being vigilant." Hutching said letters were sent home to parents this week urging them to keep their children at home if they’re sick. School nurses will be contacted today, Hutching said.

Both Perez and Jennifer Tobey, director of the Elkhart County Emergency Management, said plans are in place if a pandemic hits the area.

Perez said she received two calls from residents Tuesday, one asking for a vaccine and the other wanting medication, neither of which are available at this time. Perez said neither caller was sick nor had the flu, but simply wanted any possible medicine to avoid contracting the virus.

Bruce Lamb, a state veterinarian from the Indiana Board of Animal Health, was also on the panel and said people should not be concerned about what they eat because of this strain of flu.

"This is not spread from animals to humans but humans to humans," he said.

Lamb added that people should quit referring to it as swine flu.

Check back for more updates.

Continue to check this Web site and read Thursday’s South Bend Tribune for updates on this story.

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