Letter from Dr. Remington, County Health Officer for Kosciusko County

The following is a letter from Dr. Remington with the Kosciusko County Health Office. The letter is an update on the North American Human Influenza A (H1N1):

The experience with North American Human Influenza A (H1N1) – previously known as “Swine Flu” –is growing, including a case at Notre Dame.

At this writing there are no documented cases in Kosciusko County, although it is very likely that we will see cases here in the next several days. Fortunately, at this juncture, the cases have been relatively mild and not life threatening. They typically resolve in a few days without any formal medical care required.

The symptoms of North American human influenza A (H1N1) are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal influenza and include:
Fever over 100 degrees
lethargy
lack of appetite
coughing
Some people have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

I believe, at this juncture, it is important to convey the importance of “social separation” of those who may be ill with this influenza. People who have a fever with a prominent cough and achiness, should try to stay home until the fever is gone, and are feeling much better. They should not go to work, go to school, or enter crowded community settings. This simple step will help more than anything else. If someone is “worrisomely” quite ill, they should seek medical care.

The role of masks, antivirals (such as Tamiflu or Relenza), and hospital medical care are quite secondary to the simple interventions of “social separation” and are not needed for the vast majority of people with suspected influenza.

If this new strain eventually demonstrates to cause a high rate of very severe cases and/or death, then our public health directive may change. We all need to stay tuned to the developing story with this outbreak in the days and weeks ahead...

...Your health department remains strongly connected to our Kosciusko County emergency planners and expertise of the Indiana State Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease and Control. We are very tuned in with this outbreak.


Sincerely,

William L. Remington Jr., M.D.
Kosciusko County Health Department

Good News

Congratulations to the Wawasee High School Academic Super Bowl Social Studies team which qualified for state competition by placing third in their class at regional competition. They will compete at the state level on May 9th. Team members are Andrew Anker, Krista Bornman, Brandon Cox, and Cassady Palmer. The team is coached by Mary Lou Dixon.

Congratulations are also in order for members of the Wawasee High School Band and Mr. Fred Elliott who competed at Warsaw High School in the Indiana State School Music Association's Organizational Concert Band Contest and earned two gold ratings - one for their performance and one for sight reading.

We know many hours of preparation went into earning these honors. We are proud of all of you!

Information on North American Human Influenza A (H1N1)

Federal, state and local officials are closely monitoring reported cases of the swine flu virus – officially known as North American Human Influenza A (H1N1) – in the United States, including one confirmed case in northern Indiana.

Symptoms and How It Spreads:
The swine flu symptoms appear to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza, including fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.


The spread of this virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads, mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people affected. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

What Schools {Students & Parents} Can Do Now:
As a precautionary measure, schools {students and parents} are encouraged to take the following steps to prevent or contain the spread of the swine flu virus:

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

2) 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, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
  

3) Get credible information.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/swineflu/index.htm
• Indiana State Department of Health: www.in.gov/isdh

Post Prom - Second Edition

The Wawasee Post Prom will be held at the WHS. Please disregard the earlier announcement.

New Post Prom Location

The Wawasee Post Prom Party location has been changed from the WHS Auxiliary Gym to the South Shore Golf Course Clubhouse. Security will be added to watch all exits, and the bar area will be made alcohol-free. Attendees are encouraged to share rides.

Junior Achievement Fun Run

On Saturday, May 23, 2009, the Junior Achievement Fun Run will take place as a part of Milford Fest 2009.

The 5K Run/Walk will begin at 9 a.m. from the Waubee Lake Park Pavilion on Camp Mack Road. There will be prizes, door prizes, and goodie bags plus refreshments after. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category with awards for best overall man and woman.

All proceeds benefit Junior Achievement serving Wawasee area programs and impact over 1000 students in Wawasee Community School Corporation.

You can register online by May 15, 2009, with the cost being $10. Registering by May 15th guarantees you a t-shirt.

You can also register the day of the fun run between 8:30 and 9 a.m. with the cost being $12.

April 28-May 1: ISTEP+ Testing

Tuesday, April 28-Friday, May 1, Wawasee Community Schools' third through eighth graders will be taking the ISTEP+ multiple-choice assessments. This is the final part of the spring 2009 ISTEP+ testing.

For more information on the spring 2009 ISTEP+ testing, please read the press release from the Indiana Department of Education.

Thanks, DEKKO Foundation!

Milford and Syracuse Schools were fascinated by the African Drum Ensemble a few weeks ago, and on Friday had the opportunity to see Synergy Brass Quintet live in concert. Synergy Brass Quintet performs more concerts than anyone in classical music today, averaging nearly 300 engagements a year. They have traveled to every corner of the globe and are internationally recognized as one of the world's premier brass ensembles. They have been on NPR, NBC, ABC, the Hallmark Channel and performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Boston Pops. To have them stop in our own "corner of the world" was an amazing experience for our students and left them wanting more classical music. Who would have guessed classical music could be so exciting?!?! Again, thanks to the DEKKO Foundation for helping us make it happen!

written by Peg Zimmerman, Milford School