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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!--story toolbox--><!--START Headline-->Granger woman wins flu kit through Wal-Mart contest
Promotion aims to raise awareness about possible pandemic.
<!--END Headline--><!--Extra Eyebrow Field--><!--ArticleByline-->ALICIA GALLEGOS
Tribune Staff Writer
<!--Extra Break if needed--><!---->MISHAWAKA -- Heather Farris says she didn't know much about a pandemic flu before, but now with enough flu supplies to stock a small van, she plans to learn as much as she can.
The Granger resident's mom, Laurie Farris, was the one who entered a contest at the Mishawaka Wal-Mart store to win a pandemic flu kit. She called her daughter to pick up the winnings because she was out of town at the time.
"My mom was telling me about it," Farris said of the virus. "I'm going to learn more."
<!--START Inline Ad--><TABLE style="WIDTH: 321px; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: left" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top"><SCRIPT language=JavaScript><!--OAS_AD('Middle');//--></SCRIPT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!--END Inline Ad-->The Farris family was one of more than 350 residents who entered the free flu-kit contest by filling out a survey at the store.
The St. Joseph County Health Department along with other community groups developed the idea of giving away pandemic flu supplies to raise awareness about a possible epidemic.
A pandemic flu would be an outbreak of a new strain of the virus, for which medical officials would not have an immediate vaccine.
All St. Joseph County-area Wal-Marts participated in the contest.
Farris said she was told the supplies totaled about $300.
The kit had various nonperishable food items, including toilet paper, detergent, canned foods, diapers, protein bars, bottled water and toothpaste.
"I'm going to collect all the surveys to gauge the level of preparedness," said St. Joseph County epidemiologist Kelly Jolliff. "It gives us a good idea of the level of awareness."
The conclusion of the local pandemic flu event came on the heels of a new national study revealing how little prepared children are when it comes to the virus.
The recently released report by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Trust for America's Health showed that children and teens account for nearly 46 percent of all bird flu deaths.
The report also raised concerns about child-appropriate doses of vaccine and medications, management of children who could become ill, and strategies to slow the spread of influenza in communities, according to the Trust for America's Health Web site.
Experts predict that a severe pandemic flu outbreak could result in 1.9 million deaths in the United States, with about 9.9 million Americans needing to be hospitalized and an economic recession with losses of more than $680 billion, according to the report.
"How to treat and care for the nation's 73.06 million children and adolescents during an influenza pandemic is a significant concern," the report reads.
These ongoing concerns are the reason local health officials wanted to educate the community about the virus and how to protect themselves.
Marie Fabrizio, emergency preparedness coordinator and an employee of Memorial Hospital, said she plans to organize a similar pandemic flu event for Memorial Hospital employees.
Fabrizio was at the Indian Ridge Wal-Mart to congratulate Farris.
Staff writer Alicia Gallegos:
agallegos@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6368
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Tribune Photo/ALICIA GALLEGOS
Heather Farris, of Granger, stands with the pandemic flu supplies her family recently won in a Wal-Mart raffle. More than 300 residents entered the contest at the Indian Ridge store, according to employees.
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<STYLE> .factsbox { font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-weight:500; font-size: 11pt; color: #000000; padding: 4px; } li { margin: 0em; padding: 0px; } </STYLE><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; PADDING-TOP: 2px" colSpan=2><TABLE class=gentext style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD background=/images/art-header.gif height=30>More Information</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>What you need to know
Recommended supplies for a pandemic flu outbreak can be picked up at most area stores. Here is a list provided by health officials.
thermometer
eye dropper
surgical mask
bleach
laundry detergent
dishwashing detergent
soap
toilet paper
paper towels
tissues
alcohol-based hand sanitizer
drinks with electrolytes
prescription medicines
pain and fever medicines
cough medicines
rubber gloves
disposable gloves
antibacterial wipes
manual can opener
feminine hygiene products
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