A recent Associated Press story that White House presidential advisers have created a scenario where 30 percent to half of American residents could catch the "2009 H1N1" flu surprised numerous individuals. Especially shocking is the advisers' forecast that between 30,000 to 90,000 people could die from the swine flu.
"I guess that is part of the ambiguity of the whole thing," Minot Trinity Health infection control coordinator Brenda Lokken said. "There is a lot of information out there."
The state Department of Health in early July confirmed one case of the swine flu in Williams County. No other counties in the northwestern corner have confirmed cases.
Olson said Trinity has seen very few people hospitalized at its facility as it makes plans for its various facilities, including the Williston's Trinity Community Clinic -- Western Dakota, "So far to date, the majority of the people have not required medical care. It has ranged from mild to severe," she said.
The swine flu is contagious and is spread from humans through coughing and sneezing.
"We want people to keep that in mind," Olson said of how the virus is spread.
James Moe oversees infection control matters at Williston's Mercy Medical Center and he too encourages prevention as the best way to address the virus.
"That would include covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Making sure you wash your hands frequently," he said.
Moe said the Williston hospital has a pandemic plan where staff has reviewed such things as what supplies that would be necessary if there is a large influx of patients, Moe said.
"We have a hospital incident command center that we would use and implement in a crisis like that," Moe said of a serious pandemic situation. "That would include a multi-disciplinary group that would look at all of the potential risks and outcomes."
Olson said Trinity's last session with the First District Health Unit in Minot again emphasized what the public can do to stay healthy and prevent the spread of the virus.
"Encourage people to be very cognizant of hand washing and disinfecting with alcohol-based hand rubs that are widely available," Olson said. "Staying away from people if they are sick and staying at home if you are ill."
She said Trinity Hospital has a unit with negative air quality rooms to segregate a certain population of patients if necessary.
"It is still a little unclear as to exactly what the recommendation will be as far as care of those individual patients," Olson said of swine flu victims who need hospitalization. "We all have those kinds of plans in place as to how we would manage those inpatients."
She said if a lot of disease is seen in Minot, it may do something like it did back in 2004 when the city experienced a whooping cough outbreak.
"We channeled public patients into a certain part of the clinic," Olson said. "That is something that is being discussed not only in our facility, but is also a discussion point in our community."
She said the latest information Trinity has regarding a possible swine flu vaccine is about 45 million doses are to be prepared, which is down considerably from original projections.
"I don't think any of us know exactly how that is going to play out," Olson said of swine flu vaccine distribution. "We don't know how much vaccine there is for sure."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states people who are at high risk for complications from influenza are pregnant women, children under the age of 5, adults and children with chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, diseases that suppress the immune system and other chronic conditions and people who are 65 years old and above.
Trinity has an internal Web site for communicating with its employees, on which it continues to share needed information.
"As new information comes out regarding what our positions will be and how we will handle that vaccine, certainly it will be communicated to everybody," Olson said.
She said the fact Trinity works with the First District Health Unit and the Upper Missouri District Health Unit in Williston makes it somewhat unique.
Meanwhile, Williston's Fairlight Medical Center nurse manager Rachel Whittier said staff met recently with Upper Missouri District Health Unit. Fairlight also operates the VA Clinic in Williston, and there hasn't been much discussion about the veterans' facility so far.
"A lot of the veterans are not the primary people we would be treating anyway. I am waiting for their phone call," Whittier said of hearing from VA officials.
In planning for the swine flu, Whittier said, "We're just going to try to protect our staff and keep them as healthy as possible so we are here to help patients. I think it's just more of a we'll see what happens and prepare when it does happen."
If people become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, Moe encourages people to seek emergency medical care.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include fast breathing or trouble breathing, bluish or gray skin color, not drinking enough fluids, severe or persistent vomiting, not waking up or not interacting, being so irritable the child does not want to be held and flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting and flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
The regular seasonal flu vaccine is now available and Moe encourages people to get vaccinated in that regard.
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