Health officials offer flu prevention tips

By DAILY SOUND STAFF — Jan. 2, 2010

Local health officials are urging residents to continue taking flu prevention measures, as the H1N1 flu remains prevalent throughout the state.

The death of a local resident in November has since been linked to the influenza strain, bringing the total number of H1N1-related deaths to seven in Santa Barbara County, according to a weekly public health update.

“All seven of these deaths occurred in individuals with underlying medical conditions,” according to the news release.

One resident has been hospitalized due to flu-related complications since mid-December, bringing the total number of hospitalizations in the county to 57. The first cases began appearing locally in mid-June.

Health officials are urging residents to take a few precautionary steps, including receiving the vaccination for H1N1 flu. Between October 28 and the end of the year, public health workers administered roughly 20,000 vaccinations through free community clinics, while private healthcare providers have also been giving out flu shots to patients.

Vaccinations continue to be offered at the Franklin Public Health Clinic, 1136 E. Montecito St., on Tuesdays from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and Wednesdays from 1 to 4:30 p.m.; as well as at the Carpinteria Veterans Hall, 341 Walnut Ave., on Thursdays from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Other safety tips include washing hands with soap and water frequently, particularly after direct contact with others and before eating; avoiding touching the mouth, nose or eyes; covering coughs and sneezes; and staying home if sick.

More information about the flu strain is available at www.sbcfluinfo.org or by calling the public hotline at 888-722-6358.

Comment on this article

Subject:

Body:

Poster:

Enter text seen above:

Where are the H1N1 prevention tips??? : 1/2/2010

It is rather odd that the subject of this article promises prevention tips...and then offers NONE!

---

Prevention Tips noted in article : 1/2/2010

Did you read the entire article? Here are the prevention tips...
"Health officials are urging residents to take a few precautionary steps, including receiving the vaccination for H1N1 flu."
and...
"Other safety tips include washing hands with soap and water frequently, particularly after direct contact with others and before eating; avoiding touching the mouth, nose or eyes; covering coughs and sneezes; and staying home if sick."

Izarradar

---