Health & Wellness

" Child Find" Offers Free Developemental

 Screenings Citywide

Monthly screenings at 12 locations for children birth through five years of age.

CHICAGO -  The Chicago Public Schools is offering free developmental screenings to childen birth through five years of age. The screenings are offered monthly at 12 locations citywide.

The"Child Find" screening program provides valid developmental screening and informs parents of their child's development. Infants, toddlers and young children identified through the screening may have conditions that can result in later learning and/ or behavioral problems. the 20- minute screening assesses vision, hearing, cognitive, communication and motor skills.

Screenings are held monthly at sites across the city on the same day every month. Screenings that fall on a day when schools are closed will not be rescheduled. Contact the number below for a screening site near you.

The Chicago Public Schools, Office of Specialized Services, Program Development Early Childhood administers the screenings. For additional information, contact 773-553-1900.

For more information contact:

Angela Higginbotham

CPS Office of Specialized Services

 Telephone : 773-553-1900

 Tele fax: 773-553-1851

TTY/TTD: 773-553-1917

Chicago Public Schools. Office of Specialized Services

DO YOU KNOW.............

A child five years or younger who may not be developing appropriately because of difficulties with:

• seeing or hearing
• talking
• sitting, standing, walking
• thinking
• behaving appropriately

Call- 773/553-1900 or TDD/TTY 773/553-1917

FOR FREE DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING DATES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

The Chicago Public Schools has scheduled monthly Child Find screenings at sites throughout the city.

Children may be screened at any of the following locations.

• MCFETRIDGE PARK       3843 NORTH CALIFORNIA ,     

          LAST THURSDAY             8:30 A- 2:30 P

• JEFFERSON PARK LIBRARY . 5363 WEST LAWRENCE, 

          FIRST TUESDAY            9:00 A- 3:00 P

• HUNBOLDT PARK LIBRARY. 1605 NORTH TROY,          

         THIRD WEDNESDAY      9:00 A- 6:00 P

• WEST BELMONT LIBRARY.   3104 N. NARRAGANSETT,   

          SECOND TUESDAY       9:00 A- 3:00 P

• HARRISON PARK.         1824 SOUTH WOOD ,             

          FOURTH MONDAY         8:30 A- 2:30 P

• LEGLER LIBRARY         115 SOUTH PULASKI ,         

          FOURTH TUESDAY         9:00 A- 3:00 P

• DALEY LIBRARY              3400 SOUTH HALSTED ,       

          FIRST FRIDAY                  9:00 A- 3:00 P

• GAGE PARK                      2411 WEST 55TH STREET ,      

          FIRST TUESDAY              9:00 A- 3:00 P

• CHICAGO CHILD CARE     5467 SOUTH UNIVERSITY ,  

          FOURTH WEDNESDAY    9:00 A- 3:00 P

• CHICAGO LAWN LIBRARY  6120 SOUTH KEDZIE ,        

         SECOND WEDNESDAY    9:00 A- 3:00 P

• BESSEMER PARK           8930 SOUTH MUSKEGON ,    

         THIRD TUESDAY               9:00 A- 3:00 P

• MT. GREENWOOD LIBRARY  11010 SOUTH KEDZIE ,     

         FIRST WEDNESDAY        9:00 A- 3:00 P

April 29, 2009

MAYOR DALEY, CITY OFFICIALS UPDATE RESIDENTS ON EFFORTS TO

DEAL WITH SWINE FLU

First Probable Case in City is identified

The City of Chicago is "as  prepared as it can be" to deal with any spread of swine flu, Mayor Richard M. Daley said today.

"I want to remind everyone in the city that this is a time to be alert, be aware and be prepared - but certainly not to panic"' the Mayor said at a news conference held with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and other city and state officials at the City's Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), 1411 W. Madison Street.

Late yesterday, the Chicago Department of Public Health became aware a probable case of swine flu in a child who attends the Kilmer School on the North Side and promptly notified officials at the Chicago Public Schools, who have decided to close the school temporarily.

At the moment, there are no other known cases of swine flu at the Kilmer School, but as public health authorities have said repeatedly, the swine flu situation is fluid and changes from day to day.

Daley said that as swine flu has spread across the United States and around the world, Chicago public health officials have said publicly that they anticipate seeing cases in Chicago and the surrounding area.

"So Yesterday's announcement of a case in Northern Indiana and today's announcement of a case in the city are not a surprise"' Daley said.

The Mayor said that to coodinate the City's response to the swine flu situation, it is activating the Joint Operation Center led by the Office of Emergency Management and Communications and including the Police and Fire Departments, the  Aviation and Health Departments, the 311 Center, CPS and the Department of Family and Support Services.

He encouraged Chiagoians to visit the www.alertchicago.org  website to receive emergency preparedness tips.

At the website, residents can also sign up to receive "Notify Chicago" alerts. The City already has been proactively sending facts about the swine flu using this free paging system.

Daley identified several steps already taken by the City agencies regarding the swine flu:

• The Health Department has a swine flu fact sheet available online (www.cityofchicago.org/swineflu ) in English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Vietnamese , Burmese and Russian.
• Chicago Public Schools has launched an internal notifications process to all schools and faculty about what to expect and what students and parents should do.
• In addition , the school system will send letters to parents and guardians in both Spanish and Polish about the situation and safeguards that should be taken.
• The Department of Aviation is working closely with city and federal agencies and the airlines to raise traveler awareness about swine flu.
• DOA is posting highly visible signage at key arrival and departure passenger traffic areas at the airports with information on flu symptoms and preventive measures to be taken to prevent the spread of illness.
• The Aviation Department is distributing the federal government's Traveler Health Alert Notice handouts, in English and Spanish, to  it's airline partners for distribution from all ticket counters.

Daley also reminded everyone that there are simple steps that should be taken that help prevent disease:

• Cover your cough
• Cover your sneeze
• Wash your hand regularly with soap and warm water---- and teach your children to do the same
• When sick, stay home and get better. Don't spread a cold or flu at work, at school, at a store or at church.

HEALTH INFO 

Swine flu questions and answers

What is swine flu?

Swine influenza ( swine flu) is a respirtory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it's possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person also.

Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.?

Cases of human infection with swine influenza A (HIN1) viruses have been confirmed in the United States. CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.

Is this swine flu virus contagious?

CDC has determined that this virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?

The symptoms of swine flu are simular to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu in the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respirtory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How serious is swine flu infection?

Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32- year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occured in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

How do you catch swine flu?

Spread of swine flu can occur in two ways.

• Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses.
• Through contact with a person with swine flu. Human - to- human spread of swine flu has been documented also and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person- to -person throgh coughing or sneezing of infected people.

Are ther medicines to treat swine flu?

Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir ( Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) for the treatment and or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines ( pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment , antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?

People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that causes respirtory illinesses like influenza. 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 and sneeze. Alcohol- based hand cleansers are also effective.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

What should I do if I get sick?

If you are sick you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Blush skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• 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
• Fever with a rash

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

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?

No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

2