THE LATEST ALERTS:

PANDEMIC FLU
Visit the CDC for the latest information and guidance. Visit Texas Department of State Health Services for more information about the swine flu in Texas. Read more H1N1 FAQs.

The H1N1 (swine flu) virus is a potentially serious health issue for families, schools and businesses across the country and the world. While the government is uncertain how widespread or severe the H1N1 flu virus will be this year, there are simple things people can do right now to prepare for it.

The federal government estimates that as many as 40 percent of the country’s population could become ill with the flu this fall and winter.

Parents should review flu plans at their children’s schools and day care centers.

Employees should ask about work policies on tele-working or staying home when a relative is sick with the flu or a child’s school is closed.

The American Red Cross recommends that people follow common sense public health practices and store extra supplies. These steps are helpful for both the H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu virus each year.

Follow basic public health practices to help prevent the spread of the flu:
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Cover your mouth and nose with tissues when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow.
Minimize contact with people who are sick as much as possible, and stay home when you are sick.

Get flu shots for both seasonal flu and H1N1. Get the seasonal flu shot early. Groups at the highest risk for contracting H1N1 should get vaccinated as soon as shots become available.

Stock homes with extra food, water and supplies to reduce the need to go out in public when taking care of a sick loved one or if schools and businesses have temporarily closed due to widespread outbreak.

The Red Cross recommends storing the following supplies: a two-week supply of food, water, prescription and non-prescription medications, and health and cleaning supplies such as soap, tissues, thermometers, bleach and hand sanitizer. Water should be in clean plastic containers and hold a gallon of water per person per day. Household preparation steps should also include baby supplies, food for special nutritional needs, copies of important personal documents, extra pet food and cash.

SAFE AND WELL:
If you have been affected by a disaster, the Safe and Well program provides a way for you to register yourself as “safe and well.” From a list of standard messages, you can select those that you want to communicate to your family members, letting them know of your well-being.
Go to https://disastersafe.redcross.org/

VOLUNTEER RESOURCE CENTERS:
No active alerts at this time.

ACTIVE ALERTS:
No active alerts at this time.

DONATE NOW:
Donate to any local or national effort.

LINKS:
National Hurricane Center