Ionia County Memorial Hospital

The Michigan Department of Community Health announced that one probable swine flu case has been reported in Livingston County. While this case has not yet been confirmed, Michigan is working closely wit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health departments to monitor the situation.

The State of Michigan has partially activated the State of Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) as a precaution to monitor the swine influenza outbreak. The SEOC is staffed by members of several state agencies to monitor the ongoing situation with local, state and federal agencies.

Officials at Ionia County Memorial Hospital are closely monitoring developments regarding the swine flu in Mexico and the U.S. and keeping in contact with officials from the Ionia County Health Department. If you have questions, Ionia County residents should call their physician or the Ionia County Health Department at 616-527-5341.

There are common-sense steps everyone can take right now to avoid the spread of any type of influenza. The CDC recommends individuals take the following everyday actions to protect their health:

1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

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

3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

4. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

5. If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

6. People experiencing severe symptoms including cough, fever, fatigue, sore throat, chills, headaches, body aches possibly along with diarrhea and vomiting, should contact their physician.

Last updated: 23 February, 2010 02:01 PM