Wood County Health Commissioner Pam Butler told Bowling Green City Council Monday night that emergency
preparedness with an eye toward the H1N1 virus (swine flu) is a prime concern for the Wood County Health
Department.
Butler said there will not be enough H1N1 vaccine for everyone and that the priority list is pregnant
women, health care workers and children.
She urged residents to do their own emergency preparedness, making sure to have adequate food, water and
related supplies in their home, should the situation warrant schools being closed and people being urged
to stay at home.
Butler’s comments were made during an annual report on the department’s work for the city.
Third Ward Council Member Larry Sorrells, a retired Wood County health commissioner, said he is concerned
that people get the proper information and not confuse H1N1 with the regular seasonal flu. "These
are two very different things," Sorrells said.
Butler said the health department will continue to hold its seasonal flu clinics around the county and is
also planning a day-long clinic at the fairgrounds.
Dates and details on all of the flu-related matters will be announced later.
Butler also:
¥ Presented an eight-year financial summary of how the department spent funds the city pays for various
services. The department is responsible for conducting an exterior housing survey in the city and making
regular reports, among other services.
¥ Promoted the Dental Bus, which visits the department each Thursday to provide services.
¥ Talked about several of the "101 programs" the department provides and distributed brochures
and other information.