KDHE Adds Swine Flu Hotline

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has established a phone number for concerned Kansans to call with questions about swine flu. The toll-free number is 1-877-427-7317. Operators will be available to answer questions from 8 a.m. ź?? 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Persons calling will be directed to press ź??1ź?ť on their touch-tone phone to be directed to an operator who will answer questions regarding swine flu.

Kansans with questions about swine flu can also email [email protected].

Information about swine flu is available on KDHEź??s web site at www.kdheks.gov.

As of Tuesday morning, Kansas has not seen any additional confirmed cases of swine flu. There are still two confirmed cases in the state. KDHE continues investigating the sources of exposure associated with those two cases, and efforts are being coordinated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Local health departments and hospitals in Kansas are being continuously updated and provided with information about the swine flu virus.

In accordance with the Kansas Response Plan, KDHE is also monitoring and instituting recommendations from CDC for any additional influenza disease surveillance activities, reviewing plans to further enhance those activities, and advising health care providers on how to handle potential swine flu cases.

As with any influenza virus, individuals are encouraged to take the following steps to reduce the chance of spread:

?Ł Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

?Ł Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to co-workers and friends.

?Ł Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.

?Ł Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise.

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