Child Development Center responds to potential H1N1 threat

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Shad Eidson
  • 354 Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Child Development Center officials promptly stepped up procedures to prevent the spread of possible infection when a staff member reported having H1N1 Flu-like symptoms to management Wednesday. 

Responding as if there was a confirmed case, the CDC informed base leadership and began increasing sanitation measures and more closely monitoring the health of children enrolled in the program, said Debbie Mettille, Airmen and Family Services flight chief. This included informing parents of the potential illness. 

"We are trying to make sure that the families are well informed that we are taking the proper measures," said Tammy Jacobs, Child Development Center Director. 

With the increased vigilance, a sanitation station was added to the front lobby for parents and visitors, said Mrs. Jacobs. Management also increased checks on other existing sanitation procedures to ensure health measures are in place properly. 

When practical, the staff has minimized movement of children and staff to reduce exposure and spread of any contamination. The additional steps will be reduced in response to a reduction in illness levels within the local community, said Mrs. Jacobs. 

The increased precautions are in addition to the CDC's normal preventive procedures. 

"We have always had an accreditation standard for when children and staff members are required to wash their hands as well as other health measures. That has not changed and has always been in place," said Mrs. Jacobs. 

"Our guidelines require hand washing as standard day-to-day operations. Staff and children are required to wash their hands following specific activities including handling pets, returning from outside and other situations that could lead to spreading germs," said Mrs. Mettille. 

CDC officials ask that parents keep children home if they do not feel well. If children have a fever or any flu-like symptoms, they will not be able to attend the Child Development Center until a minimum of 24 hours after symptoms subside. 

The CDC staff work closely with a base assigned medical advisor on all issues involving children's health concerns. This system ensures the staff has a clear channel to inform the 354th Medical Group of children's medical conditions, and in turn the staff is notified of community trends that could affect children in their care. 

"The safety of the children is a primary concern," said Col. Howard T Hayes, 354 MDG commander. "We are concerned about the threat of infection and have appropriate response plans established." 

As of August 25th, there have been 400 cases of the H1N1 influenza virus in Alaska with 37 in the Interior, but there have been zero cases from Eielson as of yet, Colonel Hayes said. 

Although Eielson has yet to see a confirmed case of the virus, people will get sick this flu season. But there are ways to minimize the chances of getting or spreading H1N1, or any flu virus. 

"Everyone has the tools to prevent the spread of an infection," said Colonel Hayes. "If people continue washing their hands, using proper cough and sneezing etiquette and stay home when feeling ill, it will go a long way to helping folks out." 

Parents are the best authority to ensure good sanitation practices take place at home and at work, and are the singular source for informing the CDC and medical group of changes in their child's health, said Mrs. Mettille. 

A vaccine is expected to arrive in late fall when it will be distributed across the base. This will be in line with the state of Alaska's goal to track 100 percent immunization, according to Col. Hayes. 

In addition to the information resources available at the base CDC and medical clinic, more information about how to prevent exposure to H1N1 and other contagious illnesses can be found at www.cdc.gov.