April 26, 2009
District of Columbia Closely Monitoring International Swine Flu Situation
No Known Cases of Swine Flu in the District or National Capital Region
Washington, DC – The District of Columbia Government announced today that they are closely monitoring the new strain of swine flu that has been reported in the United States and Mexico. As of Sunday evening time there are no known cases of swine flu in District of Columbia, Virginia or Maryland. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are currently 20 confirmed cases of this new flu strain in the United States. The CDC expects the number of cases in the United States to increase. The District of Columbia Department of Health is responding proactively and aggressively to combat the spread of the disease.
“While the District does not have any known cases of swine flu right now, we recognize that diseases do not respect state or national boundaries and are monitoring the situation closely,” said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. “We continue to work with our neighboring jurisdictions and will respond as fast as humanly possible to address any potential or confirmed cases of swine flu.”
Symptoms of influenza include runny nose or nasal congestion, cough, sore throat and a fever higher than 100 degrees. The incubation period from time of exposure to illness is 2 to 5 days.
“It is important for everyone to remember that the best way to prevent the spread of any flu virus is to make sure that you cover your cough and wash your hands with soap and water frequently,” said Dr. Pierre Vigilance, director of the DC Department of Health. “If residents have symptoms of the flu they should call their healthcare providers first before going into the doctor’s office or emergency room so they do not put others at risk.”
There are certain actions every resident can take to help stop the spread of swine flu, measles, and other contagious diseases. By following these simple guidelines everyone can do their part to combat swine flu:
· Frequent hand washing with soap and water is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of disease.
· Avoid touching eyes, mouth and nose.
· Influenza is spread from person to person by sneezes and coughs. Covering sneezes and coughs with your sleeve or a tissue stops the spread.
· Avoid contact with those who are already ill.
· Individuals who are ill should avoid crowded public places as much as possible and keep a 6 foot distance between people at work and other public places.
· Anyone with a fever and respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections, including influenza and other respiratory illnesses, to others in their communities.
There are medications which may help lessen the severity of flu illness if you become infected. These medications do not cure the flu, and they must be administered within 24 to 48 hours to be effective. If you feel that you have the symptoms of swine flu, you should contact your health care provider for information and advice on whether anti-viral medication is right for you.
If ill, residents should call their healthcare provider first before coming to the provider's office and before going to an urgent care clinic or emergency department. This will help stop the spread of the disease. Healthcare providers can advise residents on treatment and make recommendations about whether residents should come in to be seen.
Additional information about swine influenza is available at the CDC website on the outbreak www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/index.htm. This link and other information about swine flu can be found on the DOH website at http://doh.dc.gov.
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Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
HSEMA to Conduct Community Exercises, April 25
DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency
to Conduct Community Preparedness Exercise, April 25.
(Washington, D.C.) The District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) will continue its series of community emergency preparedness exercises, 9:30 a.m., Saturday, April 25, at the Woodridge Neighborhood Library, 1801 Hamlin Street, N.E.
The exercises are designed to help residents learn how to prepare themselves and their families for natural or man-made emergencies and disasters and will provide an opportunity for residents, community leaders and emergency officials to discuss how they would work together in the event of an emergency.
Residents of the following neighborhoods should plan to attend this session:
Arboretum, Bloomingdale, Brentwood, Brookland, Carver Langston, Eckington, Edgewood, Fort Lincoln, Gateway, Ivy City, Langdon, Michigan Park, North Michigan Park, Pleasant Hill, Queens Chapel, Trinidad, Truxton Circle, University Heights, Woodbridge.
To register, call (202) 338-7153, ext. 212. Online registration also is available at http://dccommunitypreparedness.org. Special sessions for neighborhood groups of 50 or more people can be scheduled by contacting Kim McCall at (202) 481-3015 or by email at Kim.McCall@dc.gov.
to Conduct Community Preparedness Exercise, April 25.
(Washington, D.C.) The District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) will continue its series of community emergency preparedness exercises, 9:30 a.m., Saturday, April 25, at the Woodridge Neighborhood Library, 1801 Hamlin Street, N.E.
The exercises are designed to help residents learn how to prepare themselves and their families for natural or man-made emergencies and disasters and will provide an opportunity for residents, community leaders and emergency officials to discuss how they would work together in the event of an emergency.
Residents of the following neighborhoods should plan to attend this session:
Arboretum, Bloomingdale, Brentwood, Brookland, Carver Langston, Eckington, Edgewood, Fort Lincoln, Gateway, Ivy City, Langdon, Michigan Park, North Michigan Park, Pleasant Hill, Queens Chapel, Trinidad, Truxton Circle, University Heights, Woodbridge.
To register, call (202) 338-7153, ext. 212. Online registration also is available at http://dccommunitypreparedness.org. Special sessions for neighborhood groups of 50 or more people can be scheduled by contacting Kim McCall at (202) 481-3015 or by email at Kim.McCall@dc.gov.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Street closures for IMF/World Bank meetings
(Washington, D.C.) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has provided the following information regarding street closures and parking restrictions for the Spring Meetings of the IMF/World Bank Board of Governors this weekend.
Street Closures
Beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2009 until 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2009, the following streets surrounding the IMF/World Bank will be closed to vehicular traffic:
18th Street, NW from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue
19th Street, NW from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue
20th Street, NW from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue
G Street, NW from 18th Street to 20th Street
H Street, NW (south side) from 18th Street to 20th Street
Parking Restrictions
No parking will be allowed on the following streets from 3 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2009 until 6 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2009:
18th Street, NW from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue
19th Street, NW from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue
20th Street, NW from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue
G Street, NW from 18th Street to 20th Street
H Street, NW (south side) from 18th Street to 20th Street
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW from 18th Street to 20th Street
No parking will be allowed on the following streets from 7 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2009 until 6 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2009:
600 block of 18th Street, NW
600 block of 19th Street, NW
600 block of 20th Street, NW
2000 block of H Street, NW
1700 block of G Street, NW
2000 block of G Street, NW
Street Closures
Beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2009 until 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2009, the following streets surrounding the IMF/World Bank will be closed to vehicular traffic:
18th Street, NW from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue
19th Street, NW from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue
20th Street, NW from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue
G Street, NW from 18th Street to 20th Street
H Street, NW (south side) from 18th Street to 20th Street
Parking Restrictions
No parking will be allowed on the following streets from 3 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2009 until 6 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2009:
18th Street, NW from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue
19th Street, NW from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue
20th Street, NW from G Street to Pennsylvania Avenue
G Street, NW from 18th Street to 20th Street
H Street, NW (south side) from 18th Street to 20th Street
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW from 18th Street to 20th Street
No parking will be allowed on the following streets from 7 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2009 until 6 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2009:
600 block of 18th Street, NW
600 block of 19th Street, NW
600 block of 20th Street, NW
2000 block of H Street, NW
1700 block of G Street, NW
2000 block of G Street, NW
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