City of Warrensburg
102 S. Holden
Warrensburg, MO 64093
Office 660-747-9131 FAX 660-747-8927
www.warrensburg-mo.com

May 8, 2009

Warrensburg/Johnson County takes safety measures against H1N1 virus

Johnson County Community Health Services along with the Warrensburg/Johnson County Emergency Management Agency are taking necessary measures to prepare for the H1N1 pandemic virus as a precaution in case the virus reaches Johnson County, Mo.

As of May 5, according to the information available from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Missouri Department of Health, Missouri had 2 confirmed and 6 probable cases of the H1N1 virus.

“The Warrensburg/Johnson County Emergency Management Agency is closely coordinating with the Johnson County Community Health Services and with other County and City officials, in case we have a H1N1 virus situation arising in the community,” Steve Moody, Director of the Agency said.

Moody emphasized that since the situation they are dealing with is related to healthcare, it is the Johnson County Community Health Service Agency that would be the lead agency, while his own agency would help them in coordinating with Federal, County and City officials.

Raymond James, Emergency Public Health Specialist at the Johnson County Community Health Services said they had already implemented the surveillance portion of the public health emergency plan.

“As soon as we were notified by the CDC and the Missouri Department of Health about this new virus, we started looking for new clusters of flu cases,” he said. “So if there is anyone identified, we will do the laboratory tests and send them to the state health department.”

James highlighted that in case they find a case of H1N1 virus, they will check the people the infected person was routinely in contact with, just to make sure these people are well and if they are infected, to get them the necessary medical treatment.

“The steps we are taking now are contacting the schools, the university and other public agencies and providing them information about the necessary steps in case of an emergency,” Moody said.

James advised that if a person had flu like symptoms they should call their doctors so they can prescribe necessary medication for them.

He also highlighted that in case the county faces a pandemic influenza, the county would be providing sufficient amount of antiviral medications to the healthcare providers.

The Johnson County Community Health Services also has a plan for establishing a minimal care facility of at least 50 people in case a large number of people would fall ill, and the hospitals have reached occupancy limits.

“As far as eating pork is concerned, there is no problem,” said James. “What we are currently facing and what we are worried about is the human-to-human transmission of the virus, and so you are not going to get that from eating pork.”

On the possibility of the virus going on the decline, Moody emphasized that it might be too soon to predict that because if it mutates again it could become more of a concern.

James stressed the basic precautions individuals should take to avoid the spread of the virus are to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue while sneezing, wash hands often with soap and water, avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth, stay home if getting sick and get in touch with their physician for further medications and advise.

For more information regarding the H1N1 virus, people are encouraged to visit the Johnson County Community Health Services Web Site at www.johnsoncountyhealth.org

Chris Lowe
Assistant City Manager
Chris.Lowe@warrensburg-mo.com