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Nov 3, 2009 6:45 am US/Pacific
Sac Co. Health Dept. Declares Swine Flu Emergency
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
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Spencer Whatcott (left) pulls away after a nurse gives an nasal spray of the H1N1 vaccine while his father Cameron (right) hold him at the Utah County Health Department Oct. 27, 2009 in Provo, Utah.
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The top doctor in Sacramento County said Monday that the rapid spread of swine flu has become a serious threat and Sacramento County Public Health has declared a local emergency for H1N1.
The department is asking County Supervisors to ratify the proclamation today.
Sacramento County has seen a 30 percent jump in the number of people hospitalized with the H1N1 flu virus in just one week, and the Sacramento Fire Department said they have seen double the number of respiratory illness calls.
"That is only going to get worse," said Dr. Glennah Trochet, the Sacramento County Public Health Officer.
The county's health department has received its first shipment of the H1N1 vaccine, but many other hospitals and agencies have not. Officials say that declaring a state of emergency will allow them to access money from different county departments to handle a swine flu outbreak and put the county in a position to receive federal funds.
"Our staff is literally working day and night right now and that requires overtime," Dr. Trochet said.
So far, 51 people in Sacramento County have been hospitalized with the H1N1 virus, and 15 have died.
Beginning November 16, the countys will begin operating a series of more than 40 clinics offering free vaccine. The clinics will target priority groups including pregnant women, healthcare workers, people caring for infants under six months old, children and young adults aged six months to 24 years, and adults ages 24-64 with underlying medical conditions.
Sacramento Public Health has an H1N1 information line that contains announcements at 916-875-0600. There is also information on their website at
www.SCPH.com.
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