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When it comes to the swine flu outbreak in the U.S., an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, according to GISD officials. Here's a press advisory I received today from the school district:

Although as of Tuesday, April 28, 2009, no swine flu cases have been reported in Galveston or among Galveston Independent School District students, the district is taking steps to prevent the potential spread of illness among its students and staff, Superintendent Lynne Cleveland said. 

Among other measures, GISD has directed school nurses to send students home if they exhibit flu-like symptoms. 

"We are also urging parents not to send their children to school if their children seem to be suffering from any flu-like symptoms," Cleveland said. "We are ordering hand sanitizer to be placed in every classroom so teachers can monitor student hygiene and make sure the students clean their hands after they cough, sneeze and use tissues. 

"Right now, prevention is the priority," Cleveland said. "We are following the advice of medical experts and taking reasonable precautions until we can determine if swine flu appears to be spreading in Texas and in the Galveston area." 

The Galveston County Health District has created a Web site for the public to obtain information about swine flu. People can check the site regularly for updates. 

The County Health District also has activated its pandemic flu plan, issuing advisories to the medical community and instituting active surveillance of flu cases at hospitals, physicians' offices and other healthcare facilities. 

Assistance and information has been released to schools, and county officials are working with state and federal officials to prepare for the possibility of swine flu cases in Galveston County. 

At this point, the health district's primary message is prevention. Health district officials urge people to use good personal hygiene and sanitation to avoid getting infected. If you are sick, stay home and seek medical attention. 

The Texas Department of State Health Services has created a Swine Flu Hotline: 888-777-5320. More information about flu prevention measures and swine flu cases is available at the following websites at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health officials are investigating swine influenza cases reported in several states, including Texas. Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with swine influenza viruses. 

The pandemic flu is caused by a new influenza virus to which people have not been exposed. In many people, symptoms will be similar to the common flu but the symptoms can be more severe and therefore, can be much more serious. 

Symptoms may include fever, headache, chills, body aches, fatigue, dry cough, sore throat and nasal congestion. In some cases, the symptoms might include nausea and vomiting. 

PRIMARY PREVENTION 

Proper hand hygiene 

There's a right way and useless way to wash hands--and wash away--micro-organisms. The object is to break down the protective membranes of germs, dislodge them from your hands and let them go down the drain. Plain soap in the right hands is strong stuff. 

1. Lather well with a bar of soap or squirt a coin size of liquid soap in the palm of your hand.

2. Vigorously rub your hands together, soap up between your fingers, AND your wrists, front and back for 15 seconds. Sing the first chorus of any song you know and that'll take you through the 15 seconds.

3. Rinse under warm, RUNNING water. Remember, the object is to dislodge germs. The force of water is key.

4. Dry thoroughly your hands with a disposable towel or under the blower, again, rubbing your hands together.

5. Discard the towel. 

If you're using alcohol-based gels as hand cleansers: 

1. Put a dime-sized amount in one hand.

2. Vigorously rub your hands together and in between your fingers until the gel is dry - about 30 seconds. 

DO NOT touch your face! 

1. Once your hands are clean, do not touch your face, nose, eyes or lips.

2. Rubbing your eyes and nose provides a freeway for micro-organisms and good breeding ground once they've arrived. 

Cover your cough 

1. If you must cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with a tissue, your sleeve or your hand.

2. Throw the tissue away in a waste basket. Do not leave discarded tissues on your desk or other surfaces.

3. Then, wash your hands thoroughly. 

The throw-it-away part is essential. 

1. Micro-organisms live a life span from a few seconds to days on inanimate surfaces such as desks, table tops, faucets...tissues. If your tissues are scattered on your coffee table, they then are in contact with community surfaces. Both the tissues and the surface it sits on can spread germs to the person who touches the coffee table. 

If you feel sick: 

1. If you begin to feel ill: feverish, achy, have a dry, painful cough, sore throat, go home from school or work and call your health care provider for further instructions.

2. If you feel sick with flu-like symptoms and you care for the very young or the very elderly or the chronically ill, inform your health care provider when you call their office.

3. If you have recently traveled to Mexico or to one of the areas worldwide that has reported a swine flu outbreak, inform your health care provider. He or she may prefer to treat you with prescription anti-viral medications from home, or may request that you come in for a visit. Follow instructions from your health care providers.