KTUU 2 News (NBC)
Story: by Joy Mapaye
Sunday, March 11, 2007
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Health officials say an outbreak of a virus known as respiratory syncytial virus is helping them prepare for possible pandemics in the state.
In room 240 little Asher Kowchee is now breathing on his own. For his parents Jeff and Shirley it's been a difficult two and a half weeks. For awhile there their son had to use a machine to breathe. Asher came down with an infection from a virus known as RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, which can cause serious respiratory tract illness and block the airways of small children.
Just down the hall in room 234 7-week-old Brianna Kagak from Barrow had the same thing.
Approximately 17 children from Barrow have been medevacked to Anchorage, some to the Alaska Native Medical Center and some to Providence Alaska Medical Center. Approximately 40 patients from around the state were admitted to Providence.
"There are 15 pediatric intensive care beds in the state. We have four to six and Providence has nine beds available," said Dr. Michael Engel, pediatric critical care physician, Alaska Native Medical Center.
Dr. Michael Engel says the recent outbreak has lead to a statewide coordinated effort of staff and resources.
"Each hospital has some pediatric capability, but it's made it clear to us that now, we really need to formalize this a little more, know exactly what our bed capabilities are, look into some other logistic events," said Engel.
In a way Engel and others say what has happened these past couple weeks has helped them prepare for something much worse.
"There are many parallels from this type of an event and ah, very much more serious widespread outbreak --like a pandemic influenza that could happen sometime in the future. 29:20 this is not as serious and it's not as widespread. But it does give us an opportunity to review many of the protocols," said Jim Mackin, public health preparedness director.
For now though Mackin and others say priority one is a speedy recovery. Mackin says state health officials and others are in the process of taking an inventory of the state's nurses. Also, tomorrow the state will look at other ways to support communities, including sending out educational materials about infectious disease.
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