H1N1 (Swine Flu) Alert
To protect the health of our patients and employees, St. Joseph Hospital is strictly enforcing public health agency recommendations to prevent the spread of H1N1 (Swine Flu). Persons under the age of 18 will not be allowed to visit. You will not be allowed to visit any patient if you have:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- New cough
Thank you for helping us protect our valued patients and employees.
For answers to Frequently Asked Questions, please click here.
From the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
Background: Pandemic Declared
Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus that was first detected in Mexico and the United States in March and April, 2009. It was quickly determined that the virus was spreading from person-to-person. On April 26, the United States government declared a public health emergency. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway.
WHO’s decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. At this time, most people who have become ill with novel H1N1 in the United States have recovered without requiring medical treatment and have experienced typical flu symptoms.
Novel influenza A (H1N1) flu appears to spread in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spreads; mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus.
Risk by Age Group
The CDC reported (in October) that the percentage of 2009 H1N1 related hospitalizations that occurred among those 0 to 4 years old was 19%; among those 5 years to 18 years was 25%; among people 19 years to 24 years was 9%; among those 25 years to 49 years was 24%; among people 50 to 64 years was 15%; and among people 65 years and older was 7%.There is accumulating evidence suggesting pregnant women are at higher risk for more severe disease.
CDC is continuing to watch the situation carefully, to support the public health response and to gather information about this virus and its characteristics.
Please click here for more Frequently Asked Questions about H1N1 (Swine Influenza).