SAN FRANCISCO/STATEWIDE—With the recent news of a possible flu pandemic, cities across the nation, including San Francisco have been putting in place plans and emergency protocols, if a flu pandemic were to strike.
On April 30, one case of swine flu (also known as a variation of the H1N1 virus) was confirmed in San Francisco, according to the San Francisco Department of Health. The first confirmed resident was described only as "a child who is not in school but who did travel recently to Mexico." However, there are between three and seven cases in the Bay Area in total, which have been deemed likely H1N1 infections. Leaders across the state have been taking measures to prepare for a possible spread of the flu—just in case.
On April 30, Mayor Gavin Newsom declared San Francisco as being in a state of "local emergency," with the spread of the swine flu. In the declaration, it is written that the flu presents a "potential threat to the lives, property, or welfare of the City and County and its citizens," and as such, all city and county officials have been ordered to "take all steps recommended by the Director of Public Health to prevent the spread of the 2009 H1N1 Flu and to prevent or alleviate illness or death due to the virus." Local officials are also ordered to "take all steps recommended by the Director of Public Health to qualify the City for reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and for such other state and federal relief as may be available to reimburse the City for the expenses it incurs in addressing this emergency." The proclamation will stay active until otherwise directed.
The President of the United States already declared the virus as presenting a national health emergency. On April 28, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency statewide, after the Center for Disease Control confirmed 14 Californians tested positive for the flu, which is believed to have originated in Mexico. By declaring a state of emergency, the governor hoped to speed up the process by which health professionals can address the situation. The California cases have been reported in both Northern and Southern California, from Sacramento, San Diego.
In his statement, Governor Schwarzenegger assured Californians that “we are monitoring this outbreak minute-by-minute and we are working aggressively to slow the swine flu spread in California.” He added that “the best minds in California are working on this and when I say ‘the best minds in California’ that automatically means the best minds in the world are working on this. “The governor assured residents that the state apparatus is “prepared” and “taking quick actions.” He urged all residents to visit the Department of Public Health Web Site to find tips on prevention and more, by visiting cddh.ca.gov. He stated that the “health and wellbeing of all Californians is very important. Public safety is our number one priority. That is why I have required around-the-clock coordination with agencies at the local level, at the state level, national and also international level.”
According to the San Francisco Department of Public Health, some symptoms of the flu can be easily confused with symptoms of the everyday cold. Some symptoms of the flu include high fevers, severe coughs and severe exhaustion. The SFDPH urges those who are "mildly sick" with the flu to " stay home, drink plenty of fluids, and treat their symptoms with over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). People with mild disease do not need to see the doctor or get swine flu testing." To find out more, and read about taking care of the flu at home, visit the DPH Web site at sfcdcp.org/swineflu.html.
This particular strain of flu currently does not appear to be transferring from person to person as of yet, as it is currently suspected that at least in the majority of cases, recent travel to Mexico was involved. The possibility of human to human introduction in the near future is a possibility, as with any case of the flu. In the interim, citizens have been advised to be vigilant about keeping clean and avoiding unnecessary health risks.
