SAN ANTONIO Gov. Rick Perry today met with San Antonio-area government emergency management health and education officials to discuss ongoing issues relating to the swine flu (H1N1) virus. The first confirmed Texas cases of swine flu were in Schertz.
Im glad to be in San Antonio to get a firsthand perspective on the impact of our statewide efforts to contain the spread of the virus" said Gov. Perry I wouldnt trade our Texas team for anyone elses and the leaders in the San Antonio region are proof that Texas has the right people in the right places to handle this situation."
The governor was joined by Department of State Health Services Region 8 Medical Director Dr. Sandra Guerra Guadalupe County Judge Mike Wiggins Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger San Antonio ISD Superintendent Dr Robert Duron Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD Superintendent Dr. Belinda Pustka and Northside ISD Superintendent Dr. John Folks. The group discussed their respective efforts in addressing the ongoing swine flu situation. The state of Texas continues to closely coordinate with local and federal health officials and emergency management partners by monitoring and responding to this changing threat.
Gov. Perry also reminded community leaders of the importance in taking necessary preventive precautions without causing undue alarm.
Texas has a detailed plan in place to deal with this very situation an approach based on extensive research careful planning and collaboration with our partners at every level" Gov. Perry said. Texans can be confident that we are making every effort to stay ahead of the curve to keep them and their families as safe as possible."
On Wednesday Gov. Perry issued a disaster declaration for the entire state of Texas allowing the state to implement statewide protective measures associated with the states response to this public health threat.
Additionally earlier this week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved Gov. Perrys request for 25 percent (850000 courses) of the Texas allotment of antiviral medication from the CDCs Strategic National Stockpile to be prepositioned in the state. This request supplements more than 840000 courses of antiviral medication already on hand in Texas following a purchase authorized by Gov. Perry and the 80th Legislature in 2007.
CDCs Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) has large quantities of medicine and medical supplies to protect the American public in case of a public health emergency (terrorist attack flu outbreak earthquake). For more information on the SNS visit www.bt.cdc.gov/stockpile.
To date the CDC has confirmed 109 human swine flu cases in the U.S. including 26 confirmed cases and one death in Texas.
Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to those of regular or seasonal flu and include fever fatigue lack of appetite and coughing. Some with swine flu also have reported runny nose sore throat nausea vomiting and diarrhea.
Health officials say everyone should follow standard precautions to reduce the spread of any respiratory illness.
Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others.
Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.
Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Individuals with these flu-like symptoms should call the states swine flu call center at 888-777-5320. For health care providers with questions about assessing evaluating and treating swine flu call 877-623-6274. These lines are operational from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
For additional information on the swine flu please visit:
www.dshs.state.tx.us/swineflu
www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
To reach the Texas Department of State Health Services press office contact Doug McBride DSHS Press Officer 512-458-7524 or 512-532-4950.
SAN ANTONIO Gov. Rick Perry today met with San Antonio-area government emergency management health and education officials to discuss ongoing issues relating to the swine flu (H1N1) virus. The first confirmed Texas cases of swine flu were in Schertz.
Im glad to be in San Antonio to get a firsthand perspective on the impact of our statewide efforts to contain the spread of the virus" said Gov. Perry I wouldnt trade our Texas team for anyone elses and the leaders in the San Antonio region are proof that Texas has the right people in the right places to handle this situation."
The governor was joined by Department of State Health Services Region 8 Medical Director Dr. Sandra Guerra Guadalupe County Judge Mike Wiggins Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger San Antonio ISD Superintendent Dr Robert Duron Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD Superintendent Dr. Belinda Pustka and Northside ISD Superintendent Dr. John Folks. The group discussed their respective efforts in addressing the ongoing swine flu situation. The state of Texas continues to closely coordinate with local and federal health officials and emergency management partners by monitoring and responding to this changing threat.
Gov. Perry also reminded community leaders of the importance in taking necessary preventive precautions without causing undue alarm.
Texas has a detailed plan in place to deal with this very situation an approach based on extensive research careful planning and collaboration with our partners at every level" Gov. Perry said. Texans can be confident that we are making every effort to stay ahead of the curve to keep them and their families as safe as possible."
On Wednesday Gov. Perry issued a disaster declaration for the entire state of Texas allowing the state to implement statewide protective measures associated with the states response to this public health threat.
Additionally earlier this week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved Gov. Perrys request for 25 percent (850000 courses) of the Texas allotment of antiviral medication from the CDCs Strategic National Stockpile to be prepositioned in the state. This request supplements more than 840000 courses of antiviral medication already on hand in Texas following a purchase authorized by Gov. Perry and the 80th Legislature in 2007.
CDCs Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) has large quantities of medicine and medical supplies to protect the American public in case of a public health emergency (terrorist attack flu outbreak earthquake). For more information on the SNS visit www.bt.cdc.gov/stockpile.
To date the CDC has confirmed 109 human swine flu cases in the U.S. including 26 confirmed cases and one death in Texas.
Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to those of regular or seasonal flu and include fever fatigue lack of appetite and coughing. Some with swine flu also have reported runny nose sore throat nausea vomiting and diarrhea.
Health officials say everyone should follow standard precautions to reduce the spread of any respiratory illness.
Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others.
Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.
Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Individuals with these flu-like symptoms should call the states swine flu call center at 888-777-5320. For health care providers with questions about assessing evaluating and treating swine flu call 877-623-6274. These lines are operational from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
For additional information on the swine flu please visit:
www.dshs.state.tx.us/swineflu
www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
To reach the Texas Department of State Health Services press office contact Doug McBride DSHS Press Officer 512-458-7524 or 512-532-4950.
