M-F 8:30 am to 5 pm
847.866.2969
NEWS 
Health & Human Services 
H1N1 Flu Outbreak Update
Interim CDC Guidance for Public Gatherings
Updated H1N1 Flu (Swine) Illinois Case Counts for Friday, June 26, 2009 10 am
You can visit http://www.idph.state.il.us/swine_flu/index.htm for the latest publically released counts and other public information.
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
- Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so. Keep a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues, and other related items can be useful and will help to avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.
If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
For more information: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu or www.idph.state.il.us
If you have any questions, call Evanston Health and Human Services at 847-866-2962 OR the CDC 24 hour information line at 800-232-4636 TTY: (888) 232-6348.
A confirmed case is defined as a person with an acute febrile respiratory illness with laboratory confirmed infection
A probable case is defined as a person with an acute febrile respiratory illness who is positive for influenza A, but negative for H1 and H3
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) links residents to a wide variety of health and social services. These services can be provided directly by the City or by local agencies that receive City support.
As a State-certified local health department, the DHHS tracks disease outbreaks, sponsors community wellness events, operates a children’s dental clinic, and serves as the local registrar of birth and death certificates.
The department serves a broad regulatory function as it licenses all food establishments, tobacco vendors, long term care facilities, food vending machines and delivery trucks, residential care homes, child residential care homes, child day care homes and bed and breakfasts. The department is responsible for enforcement of the Indoor Clean Air (non-smoking) ordinance.
DHHS social work staff are responsible for programs serving older persons, persons with mental illness, persons with disabilities, persons needing emergency housing, and Evanston’s immigrant populations. DHHS staff help all vulnerable residents access all City programs and services.
The Director of Health and Human Services serves as primary staff person to the City Council Human Services Committee.
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES