City of Garland Health Department
Public Health Notice

On September 3, 2009, the Garland Health Department (GHD) received notification of the death of a Garland resident resulting from the H1N1 influenza virus. The resident was a 37-year-old male with a history of an underlying medical condition. He died on August 29, 2009. This represents the first confirmed death in Garland resulting from the H1N1 flu strain.
 
The GHD continues to coordinate surveillance and planning efforts with other local agencies and jurisdictions. Residents should take the following steps to help reduce the spread of the H1N1 virus.

• Practice good personal hygiene including frequent hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer.
• Cover coughs or sneezes.
• Isolate yourself as much as reasonably possible if you are sick. Sick individuals should not attend work, school, or other public events until fever subsides for at least 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medications).
• Report flu like illness to your medical practitioner.
• Avoid others who appear sick.
• Obtain a seasonal flu shot as soon as possible and monitor local news media for information on the availability of H1N1 vaccine.

The GHD anticipates the arrival of the first doses of H1N1 vaccine to occur in mid to late October. High priority groups such as the immunocompromised and health care workers will receive the first doses and vaccinations will be available to the general public as soon as supplies allow.