City of Bothell encourages citizens to stay informed on swine flu

City of Bothell encourages citizens to stay informed about swine influenza (flu) and be familiar with personal prevention and response. The City’s Emergency Preparedness Team is monitoring the situation locally, regionally and internationally, with resources from Public Health – Seattle & King County and Snohomish Health District. City of Bothell has posted swine flu facts and information online at http://www.ci.bothell.wa.us/

CityServices/PublicSafety/EmergencyPreparedness.ashx?p=1347

General information about swine flu can be found at http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health.aspx, http://www.snohd.org/ and from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.

The city offers the following tips:

* Practice social distancing – avoid close contact with ill people; cease handshaking.

* 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.

* If you become ill with flu-like symptoms, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

In a community-wide emergency situation, utilize the city of Bothell Emergency Update Hotline at (425) 487-5132 for recorded updates. In case of life safety emergency, call 911.

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