Las Vegas NowH1N1 Causing More Vigilance in Health Care

H1N1 Causing More Vigilance in Health Care

There still isn't a single confirmed case of swine flu here in southern Nevada, but fear of the virus appears to be motivating more local families to seek basic health care.

Health officials say they're starting to see a spike in child immunizations, especially within the local Hispanic community.

If any good can come of the swine flu outbreak, health officials say it may be an increase in the community's low immunization rates.

In one mostly Hispanic neighborhood in North Las Vegas, concern about the swine flu virus ranges from extreme to mild.

But supervisor Rick Kraske of the North Las Vegas Public Health Center says more patients are now asking for the seasonal flu vaccine as well immunizations for their children. "We're seeing that those coming in right now are behind on their vaccination schedules, so it's giving us the opportunity to get these kids caught on their immunizations," he said. "Anytime we can increase our immunization rates, that's always a positive thing."

Kraske says it's not clear yet whether this year's seasonal flu vaccine will offer any protection against the swine flu virus, but it certainly won't hurt. "There are a lot of people who are so concerned they want an actual swine flu test, but the reality is the health districts just don't do that," he said.

Kraske says swine flu nasal swab testing can only be done at a doctor's discretion. So far, health officials say only a handful of local samples have been collected and forwarded to the CDC for testing.

North Las Vegas resident Salvadore Camacho says he's much more worried about friends and family in Mexico right now. "We are all concerned about are friends and family back in Mexico, but at least for now, they are all okay," he said.

Technically, this is still the late stages of flu season in southern Nevada, so seasonal flu vaccine will remain available to the public at least thru June. There is no current scientific evidence that it will guard against the H1N1 and no confirmed cased of the virus have been found in southern Nevada.