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.
"I'm 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 wouldn't trade our Texas team for anyone else's 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 state's response to this public health threat.
Additionally, earlier this week the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention approved Gov. Perry's request for 25 percent (850,000 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 840,000 courses of antiviral medication already on hand in Texas
following a purchase authorized by Gov. Perry and the 80th Legislature in
2007.
CDC's 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 state's 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/
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Center Against Family Violence Celebrates New Look
With Refreshed Website and Beautiful Pendant
“With Hope Become Mighty”
04.27.09 – The Center Against Family Violence (CAFV) invites you to the unveiling of its new look this Friday, May 1st, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. at the Family Resource Center (FRC), located at 580 Giles Rd. In celebration of its refreshed brand, CAFV will share its new website (www.cafv.org) and custom designed pendant by Randy Johnson for the CAFV that’s available in time for Mother’s Day.
“The pendant design reflects CAFV’s new icon, a knotted circle of single threads. It speaks to our work with families who have been harmed by domestic violence. Individual threads are weak by themselves – when banded together and formed into a circle, the strings become strong. We wrap our families with hope, encouragement and assistance, making them stronger. With hope, become mighty,” said Stephanie Dodson, Executive Director of CAFV.
CAFV pendants will be available for purchase at the unveiling event and will then be available at both Johnson Jewelers locations, on the Westside at 5860 N. Mesa and on the Eastside at 1320 N. Zaragoza Rd. Proceeds from the sale of the pendants will go to the CAFV.
Event Information:
CAFV Unveiling
Date: Friday, May 1st, 2009
Place: CAFV Family Resource Center, 580 Giles Rd.
Time: 11:30 a.m.
“With Hope Become Mighty”
04.27.09 – The Center Against Family Violence (CAFV) invites you to the unveiling of its new look this Friday, May 1st, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. at the Family Resource Center (FRC), located at 580 Giles Rd. In celebration of its refreshed brand, CAFV will share its new website (www.cafv.org) and custom designed pendant by Randy Johnson for the CAFV that’s available in time for Mother’s Day.
“The pendant design reflects CAFV’s new icon, a knotted circle of single threads. It speaks to our work with families who have been harmed by domestic violence. Individual threads are weak by themselves – when banded together and formed into a circle, the strings become strong. We wrap our families with hope, encouragement and assistance, making them stronger. With hope, become mighty,” said Stephanie Dodson, Executive Director of CAFV.
CAFV pendants will be available for purchase at the unveiling event and will then be available at both Johnson Jewelers locations, on the Westside at 5860 N. Mesa and on the Eastside at 1320 N. Zaragoza Rd. Proceeds from the sale of the pendants will go to the CAFV.
Event Information:
CAFV Unveiling
Date: Friday, May 1st, 2009
Place: CAFV Family Resource Center, 580 Giles Rd.
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Monday, April 27, 2009
BRAC Conference and Job Fair on Wednesday, April 29th
Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande will host the first BRAC Conference
and Job Fair on Wednesday, April 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the
Centennial Club at Biggs Army Air Field. The event, tailored for
military spouses, is FREE and will feature job readiness sessions and an
on-site job fair. Nearly two dozen employers are confirmed to be at the
event and are ready to hire military spouses. Military spouses
interested in attending the conference and job fair can call 566-8649.
Child care will be provided.
and Job Fair on Wednesday, April 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the
Centennial Club at Biggs Army Air Field. The event, tailored for
military spouses, is FREE and will feature job readiness sessions and an
on-site job fair. Nearly two dozen employers are confirmed to be at the
event and are ready to hire military spouses. Military spouses
interested in attending the conference and job fair can call 566-8649.
Child care will be provided.
Gov. Perry Requests Additional Antiviral Medicines
Gov. Perry Requests Additional Antiviral Medicines
From CDC as Precautionary Measure to Address Swine Flu in Texas
All Schools in Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD Closed
AUSTIN - As a precautionary measure, Gov. Rick Perry today increased his
request of antiviral medication to 25 percent (850,000 courses) of the Texas
allotment from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC)
Strategic National Stockpile to be prepositioned in the state. This request
will augment the more than 840,000 courses of antiviral medication on hand
in Texas following a purchase authorized by the 80th Legislature and Gov.
Perry in 2007.
"While the confirmed cases of swine flu in the U.S. have been mild, it is
prudent that we take the necessary precautions in Texas to protect our
citizens, which is why today I have requested 850,000 courses of antiviral
medication from the CDC to be prepositioned in the state," said Gov. Rick
Perry. "We will continue to work with our local, state and federal health
officials to ensure public safety is protected."
CDC's Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) has large quantities of medicine
and medical supplies to protect the American public if there is a public
health emergency (terrorist attack, flu outbreak, earthquake). For more
information on the SNS, visit www.bt.cdc.gov/stockpile.
All 14 schools and two district facilities in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal
City Independent School District will be closed effective immediately after
several more flu-like illnesses have been discovered in the ongoing Texas
Department of State Health Services (DSHS) swine flu investigation. All
extracurricular activities are also cancelled. For more information visit:
www.scuc.txed.net.
The move follows the closing of the district's Byron Steele High School,
announced on Saturday. Swine flu has been lab-confirmed in two students
from that school who have recovered. Lab confirmation is pending on a third
case who is recovering.
"We don't have lab confirmation for any of the additional flu-like illnesses
yet, but we've found enough illnesses associated with some of the other
schools that we believe it's prudent to close all of them before classes
resume on Monday," said Sandra Guerra, M.D., a DSHS regional director and
the public health authority for Guadalupe County. She urged students not to
be around each other while the schools are closed, noting that would "defeat
the purpose of the closings."
The governor and state health officials urge the schools' staff, faculty,
students and their household members to avoid contact with others,
especially if they have symptoms of a respiratory illness.
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 state's 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/
From CDC as Precautionary Measure to Address Swine Flu in Texas
All Schools in Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD Closed
AUSTIN - As a precautionary measure, Gov. Rick Perry today increased his
request of antiviral medication to 25 percent (850,000 courses) of the Texas
allotment from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC)
Strategic National Stockpile to be prepositioned in the state. This request
will augment the more than 840,000 courses of antiviral medication on hand
in Texas following a purchase authorized by the 80th Legislature and Gov.
Perry in 2007.
"While the confirmed cases of swine flu in the U.S. have been mild, it is
prudent that we take the necessary precautions in Texas to protect our
citizens, which is why today I have requested 850,000 courses of antiviral
medication from the CDC to be prepositioned in the state," said Gov. Rick
Perry. "We will continue to work with our local, state and federal health
officials to ensure public safety is protected."
CDC's Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) has large quantities of medicine
and medical supplies to protect the American public if there is a public
health emergency (terrorist attack, flu outbreak, earthquake). For more
information on the SNS, visit www.bt.cdc.gov/stockpile.
All 14 schools and two district facilities in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal
City Independent School District will be closed effective immediately after
several more flu-like illnesses have been discovered in the ongoing Texas
Department of State Health Services (DSHS) swine flu investigation. All
extracurricular activities are also cancelled. For more information visit:
www.scuc.txed.net.
The move follows the closing of the district's Byron Steele High School,
announced on Saturday. Swine flu has been lab-confirmed in two students
from that school who have recovered. Lab confirmation is pending on a third
case who is recovering.
"We don't have lab confirmation for any of the additional flu-like illnesses
yet, but we've found enough illnesses associated with some of the other
schools that we believe it's prudent to close all of them before classes
resume on Monday," said Sandra Guerra, M.D., a DSHS regional director and
the public health authority for Guadalupe County. She urged students not to
be around each other while the schools are closed, noting that would "defeat
the purpose of the closings."
The governor and state health officials urge the schools' staff, faculty,
students and their household members to avoid contact with others,
especially if they have symptoms of a respiratory illness.
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 state's 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/
El Paso Department of Public Health Monitors Swine Flu
Department of Public Health Monitors Swine Flu
The City of El Paso Department of Public Health has been taking steps to closely monitor and respond to recent events concerning swine flu in the US and in Mexico. We are in frequent communication with our local, state, and federal partners regarding our preparedness for and response to this event and will continue to gather information. The Department of Public Health has increased activities in numerous public health programs including laboratory, disease investigators (epidemiology), and public health preparedness and we will continue to enhance our response as events develop.
At this time, the cases in the United States and in Texas are mild cases that have not required hospital care. All infected individuals have recovered on their own. As of April 26th, there have been 20 cases confirmed of swine influenza A (H1N1) in the United States, including two in Texas. None of the cases in the US have been fatal, though some reports from Mexico indicate that up to 80 individuals infected have died. The differences in severity between cases in the US and Mexico have not been determined at this time.
Since March 2009, a number of confirmed human cases of a new strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in the U.S. and internationally have been identified. An investigation into these cases is ongoing. This is a new virus in humans. Information at this time indicates that the seasonal flu vaccine does not seem effective for preventing this new strain of flu.
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however, human infections with swine flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses has been documented.
Symptoms of the swine flu are similar to the seasonal flu and include:
fever,
lack of energy (lethargy),
lack of appetite and
coughing.
Some people with swine flu also have reported:
runny nose,
sore throat,
nausea,
vomiting and
diarrhea.
At this time, we encourage the public to follow three basic steps regarding hygiene for respiratory illness:
Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow / sleeve or a tissue, then throw the tissue away.
Wash your hands frequently with warm soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use alcohol based hand sanitizers if you are not near soap and water.
Stay home from work or school if you are sick.
For parents and caregivers of children, use Tylenol to reduce fever. Do not use Aspirin in children for fever reduction as this may cause a fatal disease known as Reye’s Syndrome.
The public may call (888) 777-5320 for more information. Healthcare providers may call (877) 623-6274 for more information. The following websites have been set-up for information in both English and Spanish:
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/espanol/swine_espanol.htm
The City of El Paso Department of Public Health has been taking steps to closely monitor and respond to recent events concerning swine flu in the US and in Mexico. We are in frequent communication with our local, state, and federal partners regarding our preparedness for and response to this event and will continue to gather information. The Department of Public Health has increased activities in numerous public health programs including laboratory, disease investigators (epidemiology), and public health preparedness and we will continue to enhance our response as events develop.
At this time, the cases in the United States and in Texas are mild cases that have not required hospital care. All infected individuals have recovered on their own. As of April 26th, there have been 20 cases confirmed of swine influenza A (H1N1) in the United States, including two in Texas. None of the cases in the US have been fatal, though some reports from Mexico indicate that up to 80 individuals infected have died. The differences in severity between cases in the US and Mexico have not been determined at this time.
Since March 2009, a number of confirmed human cases of a new strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in the U.S. and internationally have been identified. An investigation into these cases is ongoing. This is a new virus in humans. Information at this time indicates that the seasonal flu vaccine does not seem effective for preventing this new strain of flu.
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however, human infections with swine flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses has been documented.
Symptoms of the swine flu are similar to the seasonal flu and include:
fever,
lack of energy (lethargy),
lack of appetite and
coughing.
Some people with swine flu also have reported:
runny nose,
sore throat,
nausea,
vomiting and
diarrhea.
At this time, we encourage the public to follow three basic steps regarding hygiene for respiratory illness:
Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow / sleeve or a tissue, then throw the tissue away.
Wash your hands frequently with warm soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use alcohol based hand sanitizers if you are not near soap and water.
Stay home from work or school if you are sick.
For parents and caregivers of children, use Tylenol to reduce fever. Do not use Aspirin in children for fever reduction as this may cause a fatal disease known as Reye’s Syndrome.
The public may call (888) 777-5320 for more information. Healthcare providers may call (877) 623-6274 for more information. The following websites have been set-up for information in both English and Spanish:
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/espanol/swine_espanol.htm
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