County ready with emergency flu plan

Swine flu hasn’t hit this state yet but Coffee County Emergency Management officials have a plan in place in the event that it does.

By Michelle Mann
Published: April 28, 2009

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Swine flu hasn’t hit this state yet but Coffee County Emergency Management officials have a plan in place in the event that it does.
That’s what Coffee County Emergency Management Agency Director John Tallas told Coffee County Commissioners at a meeting Monday.
The county EMA officials, in conjunction with the state’s health department officials, are part of the Strategic National Stockpile Plan, which comes into force in the event of a widespread flu outbreak.
In the event a flu emergency is declared, national emergency management health officials will disburse innoculations to the area. “The hub center in our area is in Dothan”, Tallas said. There are three inoculation distribution centers within the county, Tallas explained citing the farm center in New Brockton, and the parks and recreation buildings in both Enterprise and Elba.
The current flu can be spread through contact with swine, birds or humans, Tallas said. Thirty to forty percent of the workforce could 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.”
There are many precautions that 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 of 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 added. “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 out-bound germs,” said Tallas.
There is no reason for people to panic, Tallas cautioned. “But as I do in every situation, I stress preparedness.”