Governor Martin O'Malley Issues Online Flu Update
Despite declines in flu indicators, Governor urges precaution, vaccination
ANNAPOLIS, MD (December4 , 2009) –Governor Martin O'Malley issued this week’s online H1N1 (Swine) Flu update today, including a status update on the spread of the disease and vaccination shipments. To date, state officials have ordered 100% of the H1N1 vaccinations available to Maryland distributors, more than 1.2 million doses.
“This week, as vaccination shipments into the State continue to increase, we are seeing potentially positive signs in overall flu activity in Maryland,” said Governor O’Malley. “All flu indicators, including hospitalizations, positive H1N1 tests, ICU admissions, and emergency room visits are on a downward trend. And that’s a good thing. But this is still a public health threat we all should be taking very seriously.”
Governor O’Malley’s H1N1 (Swine) Flu update can be viewed here.
So far, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a total of 35 deaths associated with H1N1 (Swine) Flu in Maryland. Since June 1, 2009, DHMH has reported 940 hospitalizations due to H1N1 (Swine) Flu-related illness to the CDC.
Symptoms of influenza include fever, cough, and sore throat. Additional symptoms may include chills, headache, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea or shortness of breath.
Good personal hygiene can reduce the risk of illness frequently washing of hands, cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and staying home if you develop flu-like symptoms.
Complications and death from flu-related illness are more common among those with serious underlying health conditions. If you have a flu-like illness and begin to experience emergency warning signs, contact your health care provider as soon as possible. Emergency warning signs include:
In Children:
- Bluish skin color (for fair tones) and grayish skin color (for darker tones)
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
In Adults:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness or confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
Governor O’Malley’s H1N1 (Swine) Flu update can be viewed here.
