North Dakota Community Health Centers on Flu Front Lines
Bismarck, ND – There are no confirmed cases of H-1-N-1 Influenza A in North Dakota yet, but the staffs of the state’s community health centers are preparing themselves to be the first line of defense should it spread here.
Ann Skoglund, clinical quality specialist for Community Healthcare Association of the Dakotas, says many North Dakotans turn to community health centers in a health emergency.
"We are on the front lines. There are a lot of instances where we are the only health care in the county or the only health care in in the community, which makes us first responders to a health scare like this."
The centers' first job is to educate citizens about this strain of flu and dispelling rumors. Skoglund says most patients now come in asking for a flu shot.
"Our information is educating patients that the flu shot does not protect this H-1-N-1 strain."
The best advice is prevention, adds Skoglund, and that is why hand washing and hygiene are being stressed at every level. Coincidentally, health centers had already planned an emergency preparedness training on Monday, which will take on added significance given what's happening with the flu outbreak.