SILVER ALERT ISSUED - TUESDAY 5/19/2009

***SILVER ALERT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED***

**SILVER ALERT**
MISSING SENIOR CITIZEN SILVER ALERT
NWS AMARILLO

THIS IS A MISSING SENIOR ALERT ISSUED BY THE TEXAS SILVER ALERT NETWORK

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H1N1 Local Update

Potter/Randall Office of Emergency Management, City of Amarillo & Canyon, public and private school officials, and health officials continue to monitor the H1N1 situation. We are participating in all statewide and regional emergency operations conference calls.

As of this morning, the CDC has 27 confirmed cases of H1N1 Flu in Texas and 109 confirmed cases in the U.S. There has been one fatality.

The Amarillo Public Health Department continues to wait for lab results and has no timeline for test results. At this time, there are a total of 8 suspected cases in the Potter/Randall area and no confirmed cases of H1N1 Flu. A suspected case is the result of a positive Type A rapid flu test that must be sent to the State lab for additional testing prior to confirmation. There are currently 28 confirmed cases of H1N1 Flu in Texas.

A H1N1 Flu Hotline was established yesterday to provide information to healthcare providers and the public. Concerned parents and individuals can call the H1N1 Flu Hotline at (806) 351-2570 until 8:00 p.m. tonight (May 1, 2009). On Saturday, May 2, 2009 the hotline will be open between the hours of 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Local health officials continue to monitor the situation and coordinate with schools on absenteeism and illness.

As a reminder, the best prevention is good personal hygiene:

· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
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Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

· Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
· If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
· Flu-like symptoms should be seen by heath care provider.
· If you have a fever, the Center for Disease Controls recommends using Tylenol and not aspirin; especially children.

For more information please call the Public Health Department at (806) 351-2570. Local emergency management officials continue to participate in the statewide emergency operations conference calls.

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