Sutter Creek - Amador County Health Officer Robert Hartmann released a brief Tuesday afternoon cautioning residents to “expect a significant increase in the number of Novel H1N1 cases in the United States in the fall.” The most recent strain of H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, was first reported in Mexico earlier this year. The US now has 37,000 documented cases and 211 documented deaths from H1N1. One case of the virus was discovered in an Amador County man who returned from Mexico in mid-April, but Amador County Health Officer Dr. Robert Hartmann assured that that case was mild and the man recovered to full health without any spread of the illness. On June 11, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide Pandemic Influenza Alert Level to Phase Six, the highest such designation for a flu outbreak. Hartmann said “heavy case counts are present in the southern hemisphere of the world.” He said Amador County Public Health is collaborating with local partners to prepare for Fall 2009 flu season. The partners are the Amador County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, Sutter Amador Hospital, Department of Corrections, and Amador County Unified School District. He also said seasonal flu vaccinations will occur earlier this year. Vaccinations will be available in doctor’s offices by early September. Upcoming flu vaccine clinics will be offered by the Public Health Department. Hartmann said previously at a Board of Supervisors meeting that the Health Department’s goal is to be “first, fast and accurate” in relaying health information to the public and gaining the public’s trust. Amador County Public Health Director Angel LaSage said the county is utilizing a recent $150,000 state grant to prepare for the future by purchasing pharmaceutical type refrigerators and staying abreast of new science and information. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.