Swine flu emergency ends

Whitman County is no longer under a state of H1N1 emergency. The declared emergency for the 2009 swine flu outbreak expired Monday, and Fran Martin, director of the county health department, advised commissioners it does not need to be extended.

Martin said the declaration was helpful in expanding the number of people authorized to administer H1N1 vaccinations. Pharmacy and medical students at WSU were able to give vaccines because of the declaration.

Martin said that expansion helped hold off the spread of the virus through the winter vacation, when many students returned to their homes and could have contracted H1N1.

Martin warned, though, that many vulnerable Whitman County residents remain unvaccinated. They could be in jeopardy if the virus makes a return.

She urged those who did not receive the vaccination to do so. Most area clinics still have stores of the vaccine on hand to administer.