Hurricane Preparedness
June 1 is the start of Atlantic Hurricane Season. NOW is the time to evaluate and update your family preparedness plan and supplies. [Click Here to See Hurricane Preparedness Tips]
Pandemic Preparedness
Howard County's Community Emergency Response Network is closely monitoring the situation regarding swine flu (H1N1) and the serious risks to individuals and communities that an extended H1N1 episode may pose.
Pending the evolution of this threat, the Howard County community is mobilizing to prepare for all contingencies.
The Howard County Health Department
has preparedness information and frequently
asked questions about the swine flu on their
website as well as a hotline to call:
410-313-6503.
The state has also set up a hotline: 1-877-MDFLU4U (633-5848) that will operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Questions can be emailed to swineflu@dhmh.state.md.us
This
section of the CERN website provides
highly-detailed information
related to pandemic preparedness. It also
includes references to national sites
containing more facts about pandemic
influenza.
Additional Resources Regarding Swine Flu
The right-hand column of this page has links to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) RSS feeds with the latest information on the swine flu situation. Additionally, this widget provides a direct link to the Department of Homeland Security website.
The Maryland Department of Health
and Mental Hygiene has a comprehensive
website that includes the latest
information on suspected cases in Maryland.
Map of Flu Cases
View H1N1 Swine Flu in a larger map
Swine Influenza and You - Frequently Asked Questions
En espaņol: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/espanol/influenza_porcina_usted.htmWhat is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.Is this swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.For more frequently asked questions, visit the CDC's website.