Swine Flu Information and Updates

In response to concerns related to Swine Flu Southern Alleghenies EMS Council has created this webpage to collect and coordinate information related to EMS.

Public information will be posted to this website as it becomes available. Information that would be considered restricted or "For Official Use Only" (FOUO) will be distributed directly to EMS services by email or fax.

Please remember that this is a very fluid and rapidly changing situation. It is likely that information distributed early in this situation will be updated or modified as the situation changes and additional information becomes available or is clarified. This site will be updated as necessary.

The primary sources of information on the developing H1N1 pandemic should be the following websites:

Pennsylvania Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control

World Health Organization

The best thing that you can do as an EMS provider is to ensure that you are using appropriate infection control practices on every call; washing your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol based hand cleaner; and practicing cough etiquette as described below.

Here are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.

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 hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
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.

June 3