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LULAC National President Rosa Rosales Statement On Swine Flu

HHS Declares Public Health Emergency for Swine Flu.

For more information contact:
Lizette Jenness Olmos: (202) 833-6130 ext. 16

April 27, 2009

Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation's largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights organization in the country, National President Rosa Rosales today issued a statement in response to recent human infections with a newly discovered type A (Swine flu) virus:

“The government is taking the appropriate steps to be proactive in responding to this new influenza and to be prepared in case of a pandemic. Declaring a public health emergency allows us to free up federal, state and local agencies and their resources for prevention and mitigation. It allows us to use medication and diagnostic tests that we might not otherwise be able to use, particularly on young children. It also releases funds for the acquisition of additional antivirals. There are known cases in the United States and the virus is spreading globally. Individuals are urged to stay home if they are sick and to contact their doctors."

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

There are everyday actions people can take to reduce chances of contacting the virus.

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the tissue after use.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Avoid close contact with sick people.
  • Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
  • If you get sick, the Center for Disease Control recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

The League of United Latin American Citizens advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health, housing and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.