Community Forum About H1N1 Influenza Planned for Oct. 7

A community forum to raise awareness about efforts being made in Marion County to fight H1N1 influenza is planned for Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Participating in the event are the Marion County Health Department, Fairmont General Hospital, the Marion County Board of Education, Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College. Also participating are Bob White, Regional Epidemiologist at the Monongalia County Health Department, and Chris McIntire, Marion County EMS Coordinator.

The forum will take place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the Turley Center Ballroom on the FSU and Pierpont main campus in Fairmont. FSU and Pierpont faculty, staff and students, as well as the general public, are encouraged to attend. Parking is available on the top deck of the parking garage.

"The emergence of the H1N1 Novel Flu Virus coupled with beginning of Seasonal Flu Season presents challenges for every person in Marion County. Arming yourself with good information so you can make informed discussions is the best way to fight the flu and keep yourself, your family and your community safe," said Jamie Moore, Public Health Emergency Response Coordinator for the Marion County Health Department.

"We thought the community forum would be a good way for our own students to know what public health emergency planning is happening on campus, as well as have a way to obtain their input and ideas," said Yolanda Kirchartz, Director of Student Health Services for FSU and Pierpont.

"We also wanted the community to have a place to hear about what Marion County is planning and to give them an opportunity to ask questions. Lastly, we want to give people information about what they can do to prepare for any public health emergency."

For more information about the community forum, call (304) 367-4399.

For more information about H1N1 flu, click here.