Memorial Hospital's emergency room (WSBT photo)
Story Created:
Apr 29, 2009 at 9:34 PM EST
Story Updated:
May 3, 2009 at 11:15 PM EST
SOUTH BEND — State and local leaders are hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst, as fears over a potential swine flu outbreak continue to grow.
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization raised its alert level from 4 to 5 — its next-to-highest notch — following swine flu confirmations in 10 more states. Indiana health experts expect the number of confirmed cases to eventually rise here, too.
So far, the state's only confirmed case is at Notre Dame.
University medical staff said Wednesday the student remains in voluntary isolation on campus and continues to show signs of improvement.
Meanwhile, they're working in partnership with the St. Joseph County Health Department and Indiana Department of Health to continue searching for the source of the virus on campus and testing those the still unidentified student might have come into contact with.
"We're going through all the contacts of this person, the close contacts. We are bringing them in, finding out if they have symptoms or not and going ahead and testing them, and treating them as appropriate," said Notre Dame Health Services Medical Director Dr. Rebecca Moskwinski.
Moskwinski said those being tested generally came within 3 feet of the infected student, but other students have come complaining of flu-like symptoms on their own as well.
"We are seeing flu-like symptoms and we're testing everyone and sending that down to the state. But, again, we have not had any confirmed cases of influenza of any kind since the student became ill," said Moskwinski.
Indiana's Health Department also sent additional culture samples to the Centers for Disease Control for swine flu testing Wednesday, though Health Department Commissioner Dr. Judy Monroe told WSBT she was uncertain exactly how many cultures were sent.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Results could take several days to confirm, but local health care providers aren't waiting to take action.
Some potential patients weren't waiting either.
Terrence Brown was one of them. He left work early on Wednesday after feeling what he described as "flu and cold symptoms." He headed straight to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in South Bend.
"It is kind of like a scary feeling, you know? Waking up and feeling sick and everything with everything going around. I felt fine yesterday. Now, I'm feeling kind of sick. So, I thought it's best just to go ahead and get tested for [swine flu,]" Brown said.
Local health care providers say they are prepared to handle those extra tests.
"We do have the manpower to handle a situation if it were to escalate. We've got all that in place. However, we'd ask those who are only showing mild symptoms to see their primary care physician or primary health care provider before going to the emergency room or urgent care," said Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center spokesman Mike Stack.
PRECAUTIONS
For those who do require more immediate care, Saint Joseph has put out face masks and additional hand sanitizer to prevent additional spread of the virus in the waiting room.
"When they actually see the things we're providing for them, the hope is that they'll actually use them. And we've found that people are using it. We're seeing a lot of it," Stack said.
South Bend Memorial Hospital spokesperson Ruth Linster echoed the call for those with mild flu symptoms to seek care from a primary care physician before coming to the emergency room.
Both hospitals have sent samples from those with flu-like symptoms to the state health lab for testing, but both say very few people have shown up to emergency rooms asking to be tested so far.
That doesn't, however, mean people aren't getting prepared.
PUBLIC REACTION
At Mishawaka's Super Target store, demand for flu prevention items has skyrocketed.
"We've definitely seen an increase in people who are interested in purchasing masks and anti-bacterial products. And, we're actually out of the masks at this time," said pharmacist Michelle Leady.
Anti-viral medications like Tamiflu and Relenza are nearly gone too.
"We have filled prescriptions for anti-viral products, though not that many so far. I would expect that to change, so we're trying to increase the amount we're ordering," Leady said.
It's a common story from pharmacists across the area, who are now scrambling to prepare for a potential onslaught of prescription requests.
They won't have to wait long.
GOVERNMENT REACTION
Indiana received a shipment of 238,000 new doses of anti-virals from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's stockpile on Wednesday. The State Health Department now says it has enough Tamiflu and Relenza on hand to treat 889,000 people.
Distribution of the doses to individual county health departments will begin Thursday on a "per capita" basis, Dr. Monroe said.
EVERYONE CAN TAKE PRECAUTIONS
In the meantime, both state and local health officials are urging the public to follow the now well publicized hygiene guidelines from the CDC.
"The message I have to the public is: We need all hands on deck. We need everybody helping. And that means wash your hands. Also, cover your cough and sneeze, and stay home if you're sick," Monroe said.
NEW NAME FOR 'SWINE FLU'
Monroe and Indiana Department of Homeland Security Executive Director Joe Wainscott held a joint news conference in South Bend Wednesday to outline how the state is preparing for the possibility of a pandemic.
Monroe told reporters the state will begin referring to the virus by it's scientific name "Influenza A (H1N1)" or "North American Human Flu Virus" in order to avoid confusion about the virus' affect in pigs.
"Swine in the United States have not been affected with this virus. Pork is still safe to eat, as long as it's properly cooked," Monroe said.
Wainscott said Homeland Security has also trained for exactly this type of event. Originally, plans were drawn up to deal with a pandemic from an Avian strain of the flu.
But, Wainscott says the plan will still work.
"We're able to use those plans and then adapt those plans based on the behavior of this current flu strain," Wainscott said.
EMERGENCY RESPONDERS, OTHERS TAKING PRECAUTIONS, TOO
That includes working with local first responders like paramedics and firefighters, Wainscott said.
"Our primary job is to protect ourselves so we can continue to treat others," said South Bend Fire Chief Howard Buchanon.
"Right now, masks are being provided as an option. If they feel threatened in any way, they're there for them. If they don't, then they don't [need to wear them.] If a bigger outbreak happened, it might be a requirement that we all wear masks."
Wainscott also encouraged both individuals and families to assemble an emergency preparedness kit so they're ready for whatever comes.
"That's a good idea — flu or no flu," agreed St. Joseph County Emergency Management Agency Director Luther Taylor. "We encourage anyone that needs further information on putting that together to contact us. We have handouts. We'll put a presentation on. We'll do whatever is needed to help keep the community safe."
For additional information on assembling an emergency preparedness kit, click on this link BE PREPARED FOR AN EMERGENCY
