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Office of Communications Gwen Campbell Media, Community & Education Relations Tel. 318.673.5062 / Fax: 318.673.5087 gwen.campbell@shreveportla.gov | ||
Shreveport Mayor Cedric B. Glover and Bossier City Mayor Lorenz “Lo” Walker joined the Office of Emergency Preparedness Director Sandy Davis and Regional Director of the Office of Public Health, Dr. Martha Whyte at a News Conference on Thursday April 30, 2009 to announce an all encompassing, proactive, multi-agency plan to deal with the Swine Flu outbreak. | “While there is no cause for alarm at this point,” says Dr. Whyte. “There is continuing testing but as of today there are no confirmed cases of Swine Flu in Louisiana. We are prepared for any event, but right now there’s no reason to do anything but use ordinary and common sense health precautions.” | While the inter-governmental team has an on-point and direct plan of action, leaders on Thursday issued a call to businesses, public agencies, senior and day care centers and workplaces in Shreveport-Bossier to “make plans now. We have to depend on local resources, so let’s be prepared locally,” says Davis.” | An outbreak could affect 30 percent of the local workforce for six to eight weeks. | “The trigger mechanism will be when we get a confirmed case,” says Mayor Glover. “We will be working in close tandem with Dr. Whyte who we have designated as the official spokesperson on Swine Flu developments for our area. It is imperative and most important that we focus on factual information from reliable sources and not word of mouth.” | Plans are in place for daily media briefings to be held by Dr. Whyte, Sandy Davis, first responders and health officials. 2-1-1 Volunteers are on stand-by, ready step up to assist the local/statewide call center. | Dr. Whyte says constant monitoring and testing are being done daily because of the current seasonal respiratory illnesses that mimic the flu. | Dr. Whyte suggests: Wash your hands frequently, cough into your sleeves, don’t go to work if you’re sick, if someone at work is sick avoid them and if you think you have the flu or if you have significant flu-like symptoms, see a doctor immediately. | You can stay up-to-date on the latest information on Swine Flu in Louisiana by logging onto: www.shreveportla.gov |
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