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By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer
October 24, 2009
U.S. Rep Greg Walden appears to be the first U.S. Congressman to
come down with the H1N1 virus, also known as the swine flu.
On Tuesday, Walden posted this statement on Twitter: “Just
diagnosed with likely H1N1. Ugh. Off to seclusion for awhile.”
The federal official, who makes his home in Hood River, spent
the remainder of the week resting at his Washington, D.C.,
residence. Andrew Whelan, press secretary for Walden, said the
Congressman began feeling poorly on the morning of Oct. 20 and
thought that he was coming down with a cold.
By afternoon, his condition had worsened enough that he visited
a physician. “After the Congressman received a diagnosis that he
probably had a case of H1N1, he followed the doctor’s orders to
stay home and get some rest,” said Whelan.
In Hood River County, one person has been hospitalized for H1N1
to date, according to information provided by the local health
department.
Due to a shortage of vaccinations, no public clinics have yet
been scheduled by the health department or Providence Hood River
Memorial Hospital.
However, vaccinations for both the seasonal flu and the H1N1
virus are available at local doctor’s offices and medical
centers. First priority for H1N1 vaccines is given to: children,
pregnant women, health and child care workers, adults ages 25 to
64 with underlying medical conditions and frontline emergency
responders.
Barbara Ayers works in marketing and communications at PHRMH.
She said flu shot supplies are changing day to day and people
wanting the latest information can call the state influenza
hotline at 800-978-3040 or Oregon SafeNet at 800-723-3638.
Ayers said data about H1N1 vaccination clinics across the state
is posted at http://www.flu.oregon.gov/.
“If you are sick, need more information or want to request a flu
shot, contact your health care provider,” said Ayers.
She said influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person
through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
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