This is the time of year when outbreaks of seasonal influenza are common. But this year there's an added twist — the novel H1N1 (swine) flu also is making the rounds.
The H1N1 flu has been in Alaska since May, and seasonal flu usually arrives in November or December. Even though most cases are mild, both seasonal and H1N1 flu can be deadly to people from high-risk groups (pregnant women, young children, elders, people with chronic diseases such as cancer, heart or lung disease, diabetes, etc.).
SEARHC staff is taking all necessary precautions to protect our patients and employees during this flu season. We are in regular contact with the State of Alaska Division of Epidemiology and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to keep updated on the current situation. We also are continually monitoring and testing to see if any of our patients are developing the symptoms of the H1N1 (swine) flu.
This page includes information about both types of flu, ways SEARHC patients can help prevent the spread of flu this winter, information about flu vaccines and other information so our patients can stay healthy.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact your local SEARHC clinic for more information. You also can call SEARHC's flu hotline at 1-877-966-8549 (toll-free in Alaska) for a recorded message with updates about vaccine availability. If flu vaccine is available and you want the vaccine, please call your local clinic to schedule a flu shot appointment or call to ask when the clinic has scheduled a special flu shot clinic.
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SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium