H1N1 swine influenza
Unfortunately, it has been confirmed that the Swine Flu has been reported in Ohio. The United States Government has declared a public health emergency in the United States. The Sandusky County Board of MRDD has been proactive and has a Pandemic Plan already in place. As a precaution, the nursing department has been in daily contact with the Sandusky County Health Department and continues to remain updated on any issues related to this incident by monitoring the influenza through the Ohio Department of Health www.odh.ohio.gov and the Center for Disease Control www.cdc.gov. The Superintendent is working collaboratively with outside resources and staff. Additionally, please take necessary precautions at home and in public, such as frequent hand washing, covering mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, and staying home when sick.
Hand Washing
Keeping hands clean prevents illness at home, at school and at work. Hand hygiene practices are key prevention tools for everyone, but they are more important in health care settings, in daycare facilities, in schools and public institutions.
At home, hand washing can prevent infection and illness from spreading from family member to family member and, sometimes throughout a community. In the home, the basic rule is to wash hands before preparing food and after handling uncooked meat and poultry, before eating, after changing diapers, after coughing, sneezing, or blowing one’s nose into a tissue, and after using the bathroom. www.odh.ohio.gov
Wash Your Hands the Right Way
When washing hands with soap and water:
| Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available. |
| Rub hands together to make lather and scrub all surfaces. |
| Continue rubbing hands for 15-20 seconds. Imagine singing “Happy Birthday” twice through. Rinse hands well under running water. |
| Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet. |
Always use soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty. If soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on the skin and are fast acting.
When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:
| Apply product to the palm of your hand. |
| Rub hands together. |
| Rub the product over all surfaces of the hands and fingers until hands are dry. |