Local health officials have new options following Obama's declaration

Kennett health care officials have been given different options on the treatment of H1N1, following President Barack Obama's declaration of the illness as a National Emergency.

The declaration signed on Friday and announced on Saturday is designed fight against the H1N1 strain of the flu that according to health authorities has killed more than 1,000 people, including almost 100 children, in the United States.

Dunklin County Health Department Executive Director, Steve Neal, noted that the department's approach to treating the illness has not changed.

Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center Infection Control Specialist, Joanne Burton, explained that services are currently stressed due to the amount of people coming in with symptoms of the illness. She added that although three to six individuals per hour check in to the hospital with H1N1 symptoms, the amount of patients is still manageable.

"If we get 10 to 15 patients [per hour with symptoms], it will become unmanageable.

Burton explained that the hospital has a plan B which will see the treatment of the illness move to an off-site building.

She noted that Obama's declaration allowed the emergency facilities to move off site for a flu treatment center. Before the declaration, the isolated emergency treatment would have had to stay on the hospital's property, most likely in a tent.

"[This declaration] makes the admission process easier and lifts certain restrictions," Burton said.

Burton noted that the hospital has a flu team that meets weekly with different entities including, public health officials, school officials, and nursing home officials.

Also, the State Health Department has granted an exemption that will allow pregnant women and parents of children less than three years old to choose whether to receive flu vaccine containing a mercury-based preservative.

Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, Margaret Donnelly, determined that a shortage of preservative-free vaccine was preventing pregnant women and young children from obtaining the new H1N1 vaccine.

This action temporarily sets aside a statute that prohibits pregnant women and children under three from receiving vaccine with preservative.

The health department noted that the waiver will remain in effect until the shortage no long exists.

"The H1N1 flu is now widespread throughout Missouri," Donnelly said. "We know that pregnant women and young children are the most susceptible to this illness. But delays in vaccine production have created a situation where the most vulnerable people were left without vaccine protection."

Donnelly urged women and the parents of young children to consult their health care provider to determine whether any vaccine is appropriate for them.