| Show H I III II I c II 11 T I Ie cc J t t I IJ j I r e t UNTIL TIL F FEB E EB B. B I I. I I J FOR THE I tj 1 PROTECTION ON OF OUR aUH PATIENTS PATIENT S f t o i DUE UE TO INFLUENZA I L' L j on m recommendation T o of the State Slate e Health Dept VISITING VIS WILL BE RESTRICTED I 1 TO IMMEDIATE I 1 M MME M E DI ATE FAMILY FA ONLY NL f. f I 1 J I Li J. J i io f fio 1 Jo i Y t r w 4 FLU CUTS HOSPITAL I VI VISITING It is traditional to visit friends and relatives in the thc the thc hospital Usually But Rut now because of the flu striking s so man many local residents the South Davis Community Hospital has limited visiting to immediate family only The change made on recommendation of the state health department Utah including Davis County Coun Coun- ty are experiencing an in influenza influenza influenza in- in epidemic INFLUENZA type 42 variety Hong Kong was first described in Hong Kong on July 13 1968 It was anticipated that travelers returning from the Far East would seed this country with the new virus strain particularly particularly particularly par par- along the West Coast Serological studies have pave re re- re- re that the Hong Bong Kong virus was significantly new and the populations population's existing antibodies developed from vaccinations or prior influenza influenza in- in in-I in infection probably would not confer protection against the new virus An epidemic was forecast CALIFORNIA experienced the first laboratory-confirmed laboratory epidemic in this country This in October in the town of Needles Calif CaliL where to of the towns town's residents residents residents resi resi- dents became ill over a six week period High school absenteeism went as high as 20 per cent while junior high and grade schools appeared to tobe tobe tobe be unaffected Utah's first confirmed case occurred on Nov 2 in a 59 year old man on the day he returned from California The patient a sore throat fever to degrees chills and severe a now familiar familiar familiar fam fam- story for infection with Hong Kong virus AN investigation investigation investigation in in- revealed 17 secondary secondary secondary sec sec- cases all but one of which were adults Propagation Propagation Propagation Prop Prop- from the index case beyond the 17 cases could not be identified within the limits of the investigation Undoubtedly Undoubted Undoubted- ly many more of this nature were occur occurring ing in Utah during October and Nom No No- vember m er UTAH'S FIRST laboratory- laboratory confirmed c med epidemic occurred cc in Moab l beginning about the first week of November and peaking the weekend of November November November No No- vember 16 The exact number number number num num- ber of cases is now known but I school absenteeism 20 13 percent percent percent per per- cent and industrial absenteeism absentee absentee- I ism were markedly increased Laboratory confirmation was obtained by an unpaired serologic serologic serologic sero- sero logic study of 13 acutely ill or well individuals and nine convalescent cases Influenza also occurred early in Emery and San Juan counties counties counties coun coun- ties which showed increases in like influenza-like illnesses in November mid-November which in indicated indicated indicated in- in that the southeastern counties probably were the first to experience the new influenza in the state SUBSEQUENTLY Y the surveillance surveillance surveillance sur sur- system has revealed revealed revealed re re- re- re rises in like influenza-like illnesses in ten other counties with suspected epidemics in 5 Weber Tooele Iron Garfield Garfield Garfield Gar- Gar field and Carbon and a lab lab- oratory-confirmed oratory epidemic in Davis County The number number number num num- ber of reported cases continues continues continues con con- to rise and continued influenza should be anticipated in Utah particularly in those areas only involved to date Vaccine aimed specifically at the new strain is still in very short supply but will become available in progressively progressively progressively large quantities in Jan Jan- uary This vaccine should be universally effective but it itis itis itis is urged that preference be given to those over 45 years of age and and those individuals with chronic diseases TilE THE STATE division of Health Laboratory is working working working work work- ing at capacity to process sera and throat washings submitted submitted submitted sub sub- for influenza tion All specimens will be analyzed but a delay may maybe maybe maybe be expected because of the present load will continue until February 1 next year Many hospital personnel are ill with the flu and man many patients have the flu nu The restriction is for the good of other patients who do not have the flu according to Marilyn Mariln Ford director of nurses left and anil William Moore h hospital pital administrator right |
