Experts Work to Stem H1N1 Swine Flu Panic

Wide spread disease outbreaks produce a large amount of media attention. Government agencies work to disseminate public education information. Mass media outlets work to find the angle of their next story. As the amount of public information increases, so does the potential for public panic. Rhode Island H1N1 Swine Flu experts are working to stem public panic.

Rhode Island State Emergency Management Agency received an H1N1 swine flu update, from the Rhode Island Health Department's Center for Infectious Disease Chief, Dr. Robert Crausman. Dr. Robert Crausman stepped in for Rhode Island Health Department Director Dr. David Gifford. Dr. David Gifford was out sick himself. WPRI.com reported on Dr. Robert Crausman's presentation stating, "During his update, Crausman said though Rhode Island has received about a quarter of the vaccine doses it expected by now, the target of the vaccinations continues to be children and pregnant women." (RI experts on H1N1: prepare don't panic, 2009)

Dr. Robert Crausman's H1N1 swine flu presentation may be very timely. Currently, Rhode Island has experienced lower than average doctor's visits, due to the H1N1 swine flu virus. WPRI.com reported, "Eyewitness News has learned a new report by the Centers for Disease Control shows doctor's visits in Rhode Island due to influenza-like illness are half of the national average, but experts are still trying to figure out why." (RI flu visits low compared to nation's, 2009)

The Rhode Island Department of Health is warning that Rhode Island citizens are not out of the woods yet. WPRI.com reported, "Despite the report, pediatricians say it's important for patients to stay vigiliant."Our time is coming, but hopefully the time that we come inundated with this illness will be the same time that we have vaccine here to protect our children."" (RI flu visits low compared to nation's, 2009)

Rhode Island is not stopping at just giving H1N1 swine flu presentations. InsuranceNewsNet.com reported:

"State health officials are tracking the spread of swine flu through electronic prescription records, developing what they believe is a model that could help doctors more easily identify and respond to an outbreak of the illness. Rhode Island is believed to be the first state to use electronic pharmacy prescription data to track swine flu among its entire population, said Rob Cronin, a spokesman for Surescripts, which operates the country's largest electronic prescriptions network." (RI tracking swine flu through electronic records, 2009)

It appears that the Rhode Island Department of Health is trying to get ahead of any potential public panic. Dr. Robert Crausman's presentation may be very well timed. Rhode Island Department of Health is taking a two prong approach to the H1N1 swine flu virus. The Rhode Island Department of Health is working on two fronts; hygiene and prevention. Dr. Robert Crausman's presentation is just one step in this strategy. If hospital visits are any indication, the Rhode Island Department of Health's H1N1 swine flu strategy is proving effective.

References

RI experts on H1N1: prepare don't panic. October 2009. WPRI.com. Retrieved on October 27, 2009 from http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_wpri_providence_h1n1_swine_flu_briefing_rhode_island_20091027_nek
RI flu visits low compared to nation's. October 2009. WPRI.com. Retrieved on October 27, 2009 from http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/local_wpri_east_providence_number_of_flu_like_illnesses_in_rhode_island_is_low_compared_to_national_average_20091019_las
RI tracking swine flu through electronic records. October 2009. InsuranceNewsNet.com. Retrieved on October 27, 2009 from http://insurancenewsnet.com/article.asp?n=1&neID=MV6J9BX7-dZURd1RODdtQzdT2qG17cvgAMOsR0bvFk_BHdz6M663Pa9577y5lce-YrESHJVJS3akHzir-bifBg**