H1N1 No Cause For Panic in Oklahoma, Experts Say

By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- While health officials across the nation warn the public needs to be cautious of the H1N1 virus, they said there is no need to panic.

New data confirms flu cases in Oklahoma will spike because of H1N1, but Dr. Dale Claflin with the Oklahoma County Health Department said despite the dire warning, there is one important fact many people have ignored.

"The complication rates, the severity of the illness and the number of deaths is actually less than what we have seen with seasonal flu," Claflin said.

But that hasn't stopped anxious hordes of people storming into doctors' offices worried about contamination. Claflin said while contamination is a possibility, it doesn't have to be the reality. He said there are a few things you can do to prevent infection.

"One is vaccination, the other is washing hands and coughing into your sleeve," he said.

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He said the simple precautions are the same ones that doctors recommend for the seasonal flu. The H1N1 vaccine isn't available yet, however, not everyone needs it. The State Department of Health recommends the vaccination for pregnant women, people living with or caring for infants less than 6-months-old, people between the ages of 6 to 24, people between the ages of 25 to 64 with medical conditions that put them at risk, and health care workers.

But Claflin's main word of advice to the public was don't panic.

"What I would hate to see is people curtailing their normal activities because they're afraid of getting the flu," he said.

The H1N1 vaccination should be available for distribution later this fall.