H1N1 Swine Flu Expected to Hit Our Community

The number of cases of the H1N1 Virus continue to rise in the US.

But the impact seems to be easing.

Here is the latest on the flu.

Tennessee reports probable cases in Knox.. Davidson and Shelby counties.. But still none near us.

And the state epidemiologist says if the cases don't get worse.. They'll start treating it like the regular flu.

In Georgia.. We saw the first school closing Monday.

It's a private school south of Atlanta where a student was confirmed with the virus.

And in Alabama.. Where they have seen more cases... School resumed Monday in the Huntsville area.

Still... Hamilton County Health Officials *DO* expect cases in our community.

They say now is the time to stay informed, and take precautions.

Hamilton County Emergency Preparedness Trainer Angela Frame says, "We are concerned because we haven't seen this strain of flu before and that means that everyone is susceptible."

With no reports of the H1N1 virus in Eastern Tennessee the Hamilton County Health Department says now is the time for caution, not panic.

Chattanooga resident Alta Wilson says that seems like the right idea, "I was comfortable that it was far away, but it seems to be moving in so I was interested in getting more information about it."

Wilson sat in as Frame held a forum on the H1N1 bug Monday at the Chattanooga Convention Center, "The public needs to be informed."

In fact, Frame says staying informed is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family, "It's in the newspaper and on the TV and everywhere that they look and so it's hard to know what information you should believe, what you should listen to and how worried you should be."

Frame says make sure your information is reliable and up to date.

It's also important to take precautions...

Wash your hands regularly, and should you develop flu like symptoms, stay home and call your doctor.

You should also develop a family emergency plan, and have an emergency preparedness kit.

To Alta Wilson it's all good advise.

She says it's better to be safe than sorry, "I think it's good to take precautions and be informed about what's going on."

Get the most up to date Swine Flu information from the Hamilton County Health Department, the Centers for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization.