97 MDG: Need-to-know-info about flu outbreak

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Clinton Atkins
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Lt. Col. Gail Fancher, 97th Medical Group senior flight surgeon, provided need-to-know information concerning the H1N1 flu outbreak during an interview April 28.

According to the 97 MDG, there is reason for concern but no need for alarm. Currently, there have been no cases of the outbreak in Oklahoma.

The Center for Disease Control classify the H1N1 flu as a flu typically found in pigs, though it can be passed on to the humans that are around them the colonel said. "In this particular flu, it can be passed from human to human."

Those who have contracted the virus are "people that have been to Mexico or people that are taking care of other people that have had H1N1 flu," said Colonel Fancher. "Eating pork will not pass on this disease."

The most effective means to not get infected is to wash hands and use common sense, she said.

"The number one thing that we can do to prevent infection is to wash our hands and don't sneeze into your hand and then shake someone else's," said Colonel Fancher. "If you're going to cough, cough into your sleeve - that's really important. It's the spray of the respiratory particles that spreads the disease."

"(Also) keep your hands out of your eyes, mouth and nose because then you are transferring the disease," she explained.

The typical symptoms of H1N1 flu are 100-plus degree fever, coughing, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue.

The 97 MDG urges those who are experiencing flu-like symptoms to seek medical advice.

"We do have two antiviral (drugs) available that may help shorten the course of this disease," said Colonel Fancher. "When (the Center for Disease Control) called a public health emergency on (April 26), it released the national stockpiles so that we could use them if we needed to. A fourth of the national stockpiles have been released, according to the CDC, to the states that need them right now."

Concerned persons should visit the CDC Web site, www.cdc.gov, for more information or call the 97 MDG at 481-5230.

"Prevention and preparation - that's our goal," the colonel stated.