Special urgent alert ...
From Ron Chapman, MD, MPH
Solano County Health Officer/Deputy Director
Subject: Swine Flu Update
Good Morning,
The Swine Flu pandemic greatly accelerated this weekend. There are now cases being reported worldwide of a flu strain which has never been seen before. The number of human cases in the US continues to increase and a student was confirmed in Sacramento this weekend and the school, St. Mel, is being closed all week. No cases have been confirmed in Solano County but six patients have been tested so far and the test results are pending. Many of the US cases appear to be connected to people who traveled to Mexico in the last two weeks and presented to the health care system with fever and cough or sore throat, ie. flu symptoms.
I was on emergency calls Saturday and Sunday with the California Department of Public Health and Bay Area Health Officers. I was in contact all weekend with the Solano County Office of Education who is preparing an alert for all of the school districts. The Napa/Solano County Public Health Lab was open all weekend (it is usually closed on the weekend) to process specimens and prepare for the week. Public Health staff are on high alert and the Communicable Disease staff were busy collecting patient samples.
Today I will be meeting with Department Heads at 9am to discuss the pandemic. At 10 am I have called an emergency meetings with the schools, hospitals, OES, EMS, and public health staff. I have emergency calls with the State at 2pm and with the Bay Area Health Officers at 3:30pm. We will continue to keep you and the public up to date.
The following messages are critical:
- Anyone with a fever and cough or sore throat needs to stay home and not go to school or work.
- If they have flu symptoms and have traveled to Mexico in the last two weeks they should contact their healthcare provider for possible testing.
- If their flu symptoms are severe such as trouble breathing they should seek care immediately.
- Personal hygiene is important such as hand washing and covering nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
Ron Chapman, MD, MPH
Health Officer/Deputy Director
Solano County Health and Social Services Department
Public Health Division
275 Beck Ave., 2nd Floor MS 5-240
Fairfield, CA 94533
ph. 707-784-8600
fax 707-421-6618
"The mission of Solano County Public Health is to improve the health and quality of life for people in our community. We promote health and safety, and prevent disease, injury, and premature death through individual and population-based services."
Staying in touch