By By Chandler Myers
With the recent confirmation of the H1N1 influenza in Mobile County, officials at Atmore Community Hospital decided it would be a good time to hold a Town Hall Meeting Wednesday afternoon.
The meeting featured Teresa Porter of the Alabama Department of Public Health. Porter is also the Area 9 Emergency Preparedness Team Coordinator.
Bill Perkins, administrator of Atmore Community Hospital, said since the H1N1 has been confirmed so close to the area it was the right time to spread awareness about the disease.
After Perkins spoke on the reasons for the meeting, Porter then gave her presentation via Microsoft Powerpoint.
During her presentation she explained the importance of knowing about H1N1 as well as how to avoid or care for the dangerous influenza.
Porter said that vaccines are important, but that they might not protect you from all types of the flu. She added that with different types of the flu around it is hard to protect ourselves from all of them because they change so much.
According to a press release from the ADPH, there have been several more cases of the H1N1 influenza confirmed since Wednesday with two in Baldwin County. The total of confirmed cases in Alabama is now at 85 with nine probables. There have been no deaths associated with the virus in Alabama.