Two confirmed H1N1/Swine Flu cases in Coffee County

Two cases of Swine Flu have surfaced in Coffee County.
County Emergency Management Agency Director John Tallas Tuesday confirmed reports cited on the Alabama Department of Public Health Web site about the flu cases. Both cases involve children under age 13, according to state health officials.
Called N1H1 or Swine Flu, the new new influenza virus was first reported in the United States last month.
The National Center for Disease Control has determined that the virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human, probably in much the same way regular seasonal flu viruses spread, although it remains unknown how easily the Swine Flu virus spreads between people, Tallas said recently in a report to the Coffee County Commission.
County EMA officials, in conjunction with the state’s health department officials, are part of the Strategic National Stockpile Plan, which comes into effect inevent of a widespread flu outbreak.
If a flu emergency is declared, national EMA health officials will disburse vaccines to the area. “The hub center in our area is in Dothan,” Tallas said. There are three inoculation distribution centers within the county, Tallas said. citing the farm center in New Brockton and the parks and recreation department buildings in Enterprise and Elba. 
The current flu can be spread through contact with swine, birds or humans, Tallas said. Thirty to 40 percent of the workforce can be affected should an outbreak occur, he added. “While there are no outbreaks in Alabama at this time, we do have a plan,” Tallas said. “Emergency first responders and their families will be the first to be inoculated so they are in position to help others.”
Many precautions can be taken, Tallas said. “The same actions you can take against preventing Pandemic Flu are effective against Swine Flu as well.”
Flu is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing by infected people, he added.
There are some “common sense” actions people can take to try to stay healthy, Tallas said, citing personal hygiene. “Try to avoid close contact with sick people,” he said. “And if you’ve got the flu, social distancing is the best thing.” Wearing protective masks that have a rating of N-95 can be effective in stopping both in- and outbound germs,” said Tallas.
There is no reason for people to panic, Tallas cautioned. “But as I do in every situation, I stress preparedness.”