"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokee Health Centers Prepared for Flu Outbreak

The Cherokee Nation is fully prepared for a possible outbreak of the H1N1 (swine) flu with needed supplies in tribal health facilities, including W.W. Hastings Hospital.

“The Cherokee Nation Health Services Group and Emergency Management Teams have already met to finalize their plan in case this strain of flu gets to residents living in the Cherokee Nation,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “We urge our citizens and residents in this area to exercise common sense, but not to panic.”

On Tuesday, the Oklahoma State Department of Health confirmed a case of the H1N1 virus in a patient who resides in Pontotoc County, located in south-central Oklahoma. The patient had recently traveled to Mexico and is expected to make a full recovery.

“We do not want people to become alarmed,” said Dr. Gloria Grim, Cherokee Nation Medical Director. “We are in close contact with the State Health Department and are monitoring all cases being tested. Our health centers and hospital are prepared should someone need our services.”

The symptoms of H1N1 influenza are similar to seasonal influenza and include fever greater than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. The virus is spread person-to-person and not by eating pork or pork products. There is no vaccine to prevent this new flu and the current flu vaccine used to prevent seasonal influenza will not provide protection against H1N1 flu.

Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms should contact their nearest health care facility. Some antiviral drugs may be used to treat persons at high risk of complications from the disease.

Cherokee Nation Health Services encourages everyone to practice common sense to prevent the spread of influenza, including these recommendations:

* Wash hands often to protect yourself from germs;
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as germs are often spread when a person touches a contaminated object and then touches these areas;
* Avoid close contact with others who are sick;
* Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; and importantly,
* If you are sick, stay home from work, school, and running errands. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

“We are working closely with our state and local health officials and emergency management programs,” Grim said. “We strongly encourage people to go about their daily routines, but practice some extra safety measures in the process."

PDF File:Read the H1N1 Brochure