At Las Cruces news conference, Richardson and other officials seek to calm fears, provide facts
By Vicki Nisbett
Doña Ana County should expect some cases of the swine flu soon, but New Mexico is prepared for the situation, so there is no need for panic, state officials said Monday at a news conference in Las Cruces.
“It’s inevitable that Doña Ana County will have some cases of the swine flu,” Department of Health Secretary Dr. Alfredo Vigil said at the news conference. He was joined by Gov. Bill Richardson and others. (Listen to the entire news conference by clicking here.)
There have been three confirmed cases and 12 probable cases of swine flu throughout six counties in New Mexico, but none — yet — in Doña Ana County. Half of the state’s cases are in people who have already recovered or are recovering.
Richardson and the other officials held the news conference in Las Cruces and another in Clovis on Monday because both communities have limited Albuquerque television coverage and may not have seen a news conference the governor held last week. Richardson said accurate and timely information is critical. And he had some advice for New Mexicans:
“It’s about good hygiene: Wash your hands frequently, sneeze and cough into the crook of your arm, and avoid anyone with flu symptoms,” the governor said. “If you are feeling any flu-like symptoms such as fever, coughing, sneezing and a sore throat, stay home.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, there have been 279 confirmed cases of swine flu in the United States, and one person has died.
Canceling school and activities
In New Mexico, 16 schools are closed this week to combat the spread of the virus. The schools will be thoroughly cleaned as a precaution, and all athletic events and academic competitions, practices and extra-curricular activities throughout New Mexico have been cancelled.
“We have suspended all activities and games as a fairness issue, not a health issue,” Stan Rounds, Las Cruces Public Schools superintendent, said at Monday’s news conference.
As for the closed schools, it’s important that parents keep their children at home and not let them get together in groups, which would defeat the purpose of closing the schools by opening up the potential for spreading the virus, the governor said. He sympathized with those who are disappointed by the cancellation of sporting events.
“I understand the effect this has on the students and the Las Cruces community,” Richardson said. “We will be working closely with the (New Mexico Activities Association) to get back to normal as quickly as possible. This is a concern because Las Cruces always has outstanding teams heading into state finals.”
Preparation is paying off
New Mexico has planned and prepared for years for a new influenza virus. The state has developed a comprehensive plan to deal with an outbreak and, for the last week and a half, has seen its efforts pay off, Richardson said. He said the state is in close contact with federal health officials and is working closely with local health and school officials to make sure they have the latest information they need.
New Mexico has stockpiled 140,000 treatment courses of antivirals and expects to receive an additional 210,000 from the CDC. Private providers and retail pharmacies also have antivirals, Richardson said, though both he and Vigil said not all cases of swine flu require antivirals.
Vigil said the illness has potential to cause great harm. He said an average of 200 New Mexicans die from other flu strains each year, so officials are concerned not because swine flu is so deadly, but because of its potential to spread.
That’s why, he said, limiting the spread is important.
“If a child has a fever, sore throat and cough, they can’t be at school — that’s critically important,” state Epidemiologist Michael Landin said at Monday’s news conference. “Call the physician first to make arrangements, and don’t go to the emergency room.”
Confirming cases of the virus has been slow because that has had to go through the CDC, but New Mexico will have the capability to test for the virus starting Wednesday, which Landin said will speed results.
The bottom line: Listen to public service announcements, don’t panic and stay calm, Richardson said.
Nisbett is a Las Cruces-based freelance writer, and is writing articles for this site while she pursues other opportunities. She can be reached at puncpubs@yahoo.com.