HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-05-06, Page 5Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, May 6, 2009 - Page A3
No signs of swine yet, AMGH working within ministry guidelines
Dave Sykes
signal -star publisher
Local hospital and county public
health officials are following Min-
istry of Health guidelines and pro-
tocol in dealing with the detection
and control of the H 1 N 1 or swine
flu virus and to date there are no
confirmed cases in the area.
Infection control and passive
surveillance is being monitored at
all county facilities and hospitals,
including daycares, by the Infec-
tious Disease Team of the Huron
County. Health Unit. Public Health
Manager, Christina Taylor, said
public health and hospital officials
are being vigilant about the virus.
"We are the gatekeepers and
we get our information from the
Ministry of Health and Long Term
Care and acting Medical Officer
of Health for Ontario, Dave Wil-
liams," she explained. "The gov-
ernment has worked on a pandemic
response plan and it has been acti-
vated. We are taking direction daily
'from the ministry and executing
proper surveillance and lab test-
ing."
Healthcare officials at Alexan-
dra Marine and General Hospital
are implementing daily guidelines
and procedures to ensure that local
health interests are protected.
"We meet at 8:30 every morning
to review new information from the
ministry with staff and department
heads," AM&GH CEO Bill Thib-
ert said. " The Ministry of Health
releases daily guidelines and proto-
col to deal with the changing situa-
tion. The reported cases in Canada
have been mild in nature and we
have had only a few people show
up at the hospital to get checked."
While people are encouraged to
get medical attention if they exhibit
some of the symptoms of the virus,
such as cough, fever, fatigue, sore
throat and loss of appetite, there are
reasonable precautions that can be
taken.
"I think people reasonably know
what to do and that involves hand
washing and taking care with con-
tact with other people," Betty Hen-
driks, manager of Infection Con-
trol and Occupational. Health at the
Thank -you
for washing
your hands upon
rring and leaving
Photo by Dave Sykes
Local hospitals and medical clinics have initiated passive surveil-
lance at entrances asking visitors to wash their hands on entering
and leaving the facility. There are no reported cases of swine flu in
Huron County but health officials monitor the situation closely and
meet daily to review ministry guidelines.
hospital said. "If people feel unwell
then they should get checked out
so that they don't have any doubt
or anxious moments. There are no
confirmed cases in Huron and even
if people traveled to Mexico, un-
less they fell ill within seven days,
there is slim chance they have the
virus."
The hospital and Maitland Val-
ley Medical Centre have initiated
passive surveillance systems at
entrances that offer information,
hand -cleaning lotions and masks at
all entrances.
Local healthcare workers are
prepared to deal with the situa-
tion and Taylor advises that simple
common sense practices will keep
Huron free of the virus.
"If you go to emergency
and have a respiratory ill-
ness the clinicians at the ER
can determine who to test,"
PUBLIC
NOTICE
Take notice that the Council of the. Municipality of
Central Huron will be considering an
ATV Bylaw at their regular meeting,
Monday, May 11, 2009 @ 7:30 p.m.
For further information or a copy of the draft bylaw
please contact the Municipal office at
(519) 482-3997, email info@centralhuron.com
or in person at 23 Albert Street, Clinton, Ontario.
Brenda Maclsaac, Clerk
Municipality of Central Huron
Taylor explained. "People have to
exercise common sense and if they
wouldn't normally go to a physi-
cian with the symptoms they feel,
then don't. If they have symptoms
for which they would normally
seek medical attention, then they
should.'
The health unit is working close-
ly with local hospitals to make sure
that proper screening is done.
"We don't want to overburden
the system so people should engage
in good practices such as swashing
their hands all the time. covering
cough and sneezes and they should
stay home when they are sick,"
Taylor said. "If we do that, it will
hopefully be a self-limiting thing."
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