East Liverpool City Hospital is working closely with the Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency (which is in constant contact with the Ohio Department of Health and all local health departments) to prepare for any necessary local response to the current swine flu outbreak.
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) confirmed one case of swine flu in Lorain County as of April 29, 2009. According to ODH, the symptoms of this swine flu virus closely resemble seasonal flu and include fever, weakness, coughing and lack of appetite.
The Columbiana County Health Department encourages residents to engage in the same good health practices recommended to protect themselves from seasonal flu. Please practice the following:
*Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the used 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.
*Avoid or minimize contact with surfaces touched by others (i.e. faucets and door handles in public restrooms. Use paper towels or some other type of barrier instead of direct contact.)
*Practice coughing and sneezing into your elbow instead of your hands.
*Try to avoid contact with sick people.
*If you are sick, stay home!
*If you are sick, call your personal physician. Do not seek treatment in the emergency room.
These precautions are recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as ODH.
For further information about swine flu, please contact www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ or www.odh.ohio.gov.
The ODH Swine Flu Information Line can be reached at 1-866-800-1404.
Human Infection with Swine Influenza Viruses
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