Updated Tuesday, May 26, 2009, 11:30 a.m.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has identified at least 14 cases of swine flu in our state with at least nine of them confirmed through the U.S. CDC. The CDC is reporting 6,764 cases and ten deaths. The World Health Organization is reporting 12,500 cases worldwide.

There is no vaccine for the H1N1 influenza. The U.S. CDC reports that a vaccine is currently being produced and may be available by fall.

Although health officials have lowered the alarms for this phase of the situation, they emphasize that their greater concern is that the current swine flu strain will combine with another form of influenza and increase its severety later this year.

For now, the CDC recommends everyone take the following steps to minimize infection:

· Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve;
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective;
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people;
· If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to avoid infecting them.

Throughout Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln, you will find free-standing document holders with tips on swine flu prevention and treating a loved one at home. You can also access this information by clicking on the following links:

Quick Facts about Swine Flu

Swine Flu at Home Care

PVH, Millinocket Regional Hospital, and the Health Access Network continue to work together and with other community partners to plan for a possible pandemic flu incident.
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Helpful Information—

Recorded Instructions for the Public from PVH: Call 1-207-794-7173

The Maine CDC toll-free swine flu hotline: 1-888-257-0990

CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov

Maine CDC:
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/index.shtml

Organize Your Family’s Disaster Kit:
http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/disasters/

For information on talking with your kids about swine flu and the importance of proper hand hygiene, click the following link provided through the CDC:http://www.nasponline.org/resources/Talking_With_Children_About_Flu_FINAL.pdf