St. Joseph Care Center
St. Joseph Care Center

This page has been created to keep you informed of the current
Swine Flu event and any impact it may have on The Residents, Visitors
and Staff of St. Joseph Care Center.
The page is currently under construction and will be updated frequently
to provide information related to news around our campus.

 

BACKGROUND

Human influenza is a viral respiratory infection that spreads from one person to another. Most people will recover from influenza after 10 days or so, however others, particularly the elderly or those with certain underlying medical conditions, may develop severe medical consequences such as pneumonia or bronchitis. It is important to understand that influenza can be a very serious illness. Many thousands of Americans can die of influenza and its complications annually, depending on the severity of the season. Vaccination, hand washing. covering your cough and just staying home when you are ill are some measures that reduce the possibility of influenza being transmitted from one person to another. Influenza viruses are very adaptable and change their genetic makeup slightly every year. This is one reason why influenza vaccination is needed every year to ensure the protection against the current circulating virus strains.

Historic evidence suggests that three to four times each century a radical change takes place in the influenza A vvirus causing a new strain to emerge. This can result in a pandemic influenza, which in a worldwide outbreak of influenza characterized by a rapid spread of a new type of influenza virus to which most, if not all, people will have no immunity. There were three influenza pandemics in the 20th century: the 1918 Spanish influenza, the 1957 Asian influenza, and the 1968 Hong Kong influenza. The Spanish influenza pandemic was by far the most devastating disease outbreak recorded in the last century; over 20 million people died and more than 200 million were affected. The Asian influenza outbreak of 1957 resulted in 1 to 2 million deaths and the Hong Kong influenza outbreak of 1968 resulted in 1 to 4 million deaths worldwide.

The current Swine Influenza is a combination of the Swine, Avian and Human flu. Since late April of 2009, widespread outbreaks of the Swine Flue (H1N1) have been associated with human cases and deaths. Beginning in Mexico and spreading rapidly through the United States and Canada it has now become world wide. This particular H1N1 strain has not circulated previously in humans. The virus is entirely new. The virus is contagious, spreading easily from one person to another, and from one country to another. The World Health Organization (WHO) now believes we are at the start of a 2009 influenza pandemic. Please visit the sites below for daily updates on the current situation.

 

 

 

WHO: Updated Frequently Asked Questions

Government Flu Site

 

One Year Later

The Swine Flu (H1N1)

At present St. Joseph Care Center is initiating the following precautions to protect residents, employees and visitors from possible exposure to the Swine FLu.

Beginning Monday, May 4, 2009, all visitors must enter through the Main Entrances of the Nursing Home, The Assisted Living Facility or The Alsatian. Access by any other door is not permissible.

A registration Form will be available at these Main Entrances. All visitors are asked to register and complete the information requested so you can be contacted should a possible exposure occur.

Thank you for your co-operation in our efforts to ensure the safety and good health of all.

 

U.S. Prepares for Second Wave of Swine Flu Virus

What To Do if You Get Flu-Like Symptoms



When a pandemic starts, everyone around the world is at risk. The United States has been working closely with other countries and the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen systems to detect outbreaks of influenza that might cause a pandemic.

A pandemic would touch every aspect of society, so every part of society must begin to prepare. All have roles in the event of a pandemic. Federal, state, and local governments are developing, improving, and testing their plans for an influenza pandemic. Businesses, schools,universities,health care institutions and community organizations are also preparing plans.

It is important to understand what steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones. St. Joseph Care Center has been taking a proactive, common sense approach to preventing the spread of Influenza A/H1N1 (Swine Flu) by following prudent infection prevention strategies; such has the current sign-in policy. St. Joseph Care Center also has a comprehensive Pandemic Flu Plan in place.

The federal government, World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) are providing up-to-date information and guidance to the public as the influenza pandemic unfolds. For reliable, accurate, and timely information, visit the sites listed below.

 
  • Ready-to-eat canned meats,fish,fruits,vegetables,beans, and soups
  • Prescribed medical supplies, such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment
  • Protein or fruit bars
  • Soap & water, or alcohol-based hand wash
  • Dry cereal or granola
  • Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
  • Peanut butter or nuts
  • Thermometer
  • Dried fruit
  • Anti-diarrhea medication
  • Crackers
  • Vitamins
  • Canned juices
  • Fluids with electrolytes
  • Bottled water
  • Cleansing agent/soap (Lysol)
  • Canned or jarred baby food and formula
  • Flashlight, portable radio & batteries
  • Pet food
  • Garbage bags,tissues,toilet paper,disposable diapers
  • Other non-perishable items
  • Manual can opener

 

 

 

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Plan for the possibility that usual services may be disrupted. These could include services provided by hospitals and other health care facilities, banks,stores,restaurants,government offices, and post offices.

  • Prepare backup plans in case public gatherings, such as meetings, entertainment,and worship services,are canceled.
  • Consider how to care for people with special needs in case the services they rely on are not available.

 

Stock a supply of water and food. During a pandemic you may not be able to get to a store. Even if you can get to a store, it may be out of supplies. Public waterworks services may also be interrupted. Stocking supplies can be useful in other types of emergencies. Store foods that:

  • are non-perishable (will keep for a long time) and don't require refrigeration
  • are easy to prepare in case you are unable to cook
  • require little or no water, so you can conserve water for drinking

 

  • Find out if you can work from home.
  • Ask your employer about how business will continue during a pandemic.
  • Plan for possible reduction or loss of income if you are unable to work or your place of employment is closed.
  • Check with your employer about their leave policies.

Knowing the facts is the best preparation. Identify sources you can count on for reliable information. If a pandemic occurs, having accurate and reliable information will be critical.

  • Follow the sites listed below for accurate up-to-date information.
  • Listen to local and national radio, watch news reports on television, and read your newspaper and other sources of printed and web-based information.
  • Talk to your local health care providers and public health officials.
  • Help schools plan for a pandemic influenza. Talk to the school nurse or health center. Talk to your teachers, administrators, and parent-teacher organizations.
  • Plan home learning activities and exercises. Have materials, such as books, on hand. Also plan recreational activities that your children can do at home.
  • Consider childcare needs.

Think about how you can rely less on public transportation during a pandemic. For example, store food and other essential supplies so you can make fewer trips to the store.

  • Prepare backup plans for taking care of loved ones who are far away.
  • Consider other ways to get to work,or,if you can, work at home.

 

 
  • Caused by influenza viruses that are similar to those already circulating among people.
  • Caused by a new influenza virus that people have not been exposed to before. Likely to be more severe, affect more people, and cause more deaths than seasonal influenza because people will not have immunity to the new virus.
  • Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, and muscle pain. Deaths can be caused by complications such as pneumonia.
  • Symptoms similar to the common flu but may be more severe and complications more serious.
  • Healthy adults usually not at risk for serious complications (the very young, the elderly, and those with certain underlying health conditions at risk for serious complications).
  • Healthy adults may be at increased risk for serious complications.
  • Every year in the United States, on average:
    1. 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
    2. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications; and
    3. About 36,000 people die from flu.

 
  • The effects of a severe pandemic could be much more damaging than those of a regular flu season. It could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life could be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts could range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery.

 


HELPFUL SITES



The Ohio Department of Health (ODH)

The Stark County Health Department
World Health Organization (W.H.O.) Swine Flu
W.H.O. Pandemic Phase Alert Chart
Department of Homeland Security
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

 

 

Posters For Printing

 

 

 

For comments or suggestions about this page email The Maintenance Department.

This page was last revised on: April 19, 2010

 



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