WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Vermont Prepares for Swine Flu
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Burlington, Vermont - April 28, 2009
If video of Mexicans in surgical masks trying to shield themselves from swine flu has you thinking "that could never happen here," think again.
"The part that makes it alarming is it passes from human to human very rapidly," Vt. Emergency Management Director Barbara Farr said.
Vermont has acknowledged the disease very well could arrive, as it has to a growing list of states and countries. Emergency management officials say Vermonters need to be ready.
"There may be shutting down of schools or large public events," Farr said.
For now, health officials are focusing on basic prevention messages: Wash hands, don't share drinks, cover your mouth while coughing, and stock up on food as you would for a winter storm. Schools and employers are spreading the word.
Central Vermont Public Service told employees who vacationed in the swine flu hot zone of Mexico to stay home for at least two days, and only come to work if they have no symptoms of respiratory disease. Preventing any possible exposure ensures resources can go where they're most needed.
Burlington Fire Chief Mike O'Neil explained, "In the case of a large-scale emergency, the less people who need our assistance the better off, so we can take care of the people who can't take care of themselves."
First responders also plan to change their staffing if the disease arrives in case police or firefighters get sick themselves, or if they need to answer more calls.
"We're going to continue to provide service," Burlington Deputy Police Chief Walt Decker said. "If we need to make modifications, in some cases we're going to ask for people's patience but we're going to continue to provide service."
Vermonters we spoke with are paying attention to the warnings, but are not terribly worried about swine flu.
"No, I just go on with my daily life," said Robert Fonseca of Colchester. "Be careful, more vigilant, wash my hands. That's all."
"Yeah, definitely," said Amanda Wells of Burlington. "Everywhere I go, I'm like, 'I've got to wash my hands!' Because you never know. There are so many germs. You open a doorknob and there are germs on your hands."
Katie Kent, a senior at Champlain College, said, "In the library today, I noticed there's hand sanitizer next to all the computers. Which is good because it's finals time and everyone's using the computers in there."
Officials also warn this outbreak could be just the tip of the iceberg. The deadly 1918 Spanish flu had several waves.
"The second wave could come this fall and be more severe, solely based on history. And the third wave could come after, which would be less severe," Farr explained.
We checked with a few Vermont colleges Tuesday including Champlain and Middlebury. They said they would shut down and send kids home if swine flu arrives, something the government recommends to control the spread.
Thousands of Americans die every year from influenza, but the swine flu has yet to claim a single life in the U.S. However, officials say swine flu is more concerning because the virus is trickier than typical strains of influenza. The swine flu has already morphed-- combining animal and human forms. It spreads quickly and is affecting people in their 20s through 60s, not just babies and the elderly, who are more typical flu patients.
Jack Thurston - WCAX News
