By Ashley Smith
Monday, May 04, 2009 at 5:21 p.m.
Read more: Local, State, Health, Community, Science, Swine Flu, H1N1 Virus, Antivirus, Adair County Health Department, Prescription, Missouri
KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Adair County received their supply of the H1N1 or swine flu antivirus.
There have been six to eight probable cases reported in Missouri.
But if a major flu outbreak were to occur, officials say they're ready. They have enough of the antivirus to treat 10% of the population.
“What we are requesting is that antiviral is only to be given to a person that has the flu, H1N1 or swine flu. So it's for treatment only, treatment only for Adair County residents,” said Adair County Health Department Administrator Claudine Frazier, R.N.
Frazier said you must have a prescription to receive the antivirus.
She also said health officials are working on a vaccine but it won't be available for six to nine months. That means it will be ready just in time for the next flu season.
“To me what this is is a late flu season. We had a very mild one during the fall and winter and now we're starting with another flu strand. Back in the 70s we had swine flu and we lived through that. So it'll be all right. It's just a matter of getting through day by day and people being aware of what's happening,” said Frazier.
