Officials keep watchful eyes on swine flu

Locally, BJC Medical center has 200 doses of Tamiflu on hand and its lab is prepared to test anyone with flu-like symptoms, the facility announced.

As of Wednesday morning, there were no cases of swine flu reported in Georgia, and just one fatality reported among the 40 people in the U.S. reported to have the disease.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has provided the below advice for state and local governments:
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•Encourage people to contact their public health offices and their physicians if they think they may have been exposed.

•Tell all employees to take everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza, including covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

•Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

•If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

•If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.