Swine flu hits council

By Bridget Cook
SWINE flu has hit the Greater Dandenong Council with one victim now in quarantine.
Greater Dandenong councillor Peter Brown was clinically diagnosed with the H1N1 virus last Wednesday.
Cr Brown, who attended the council meeting held last Tuesday night, contacted all executive staff and councillors who were present advising them of the diagnosis on Wednesday morning.
During the course of the day on Tuesday Cr Brown said he experienced a “very rapid onset” of symptoms.
“Tuesday morning I woke up and felt really good,” Cr Brown said.
“By 11am I started to develop a cough and by 2pm I was feeling a bit ordinary.”
“The cough worsened and by 11pm I had a fever.”
Cr Brown was prescribed Tamiflu, within 48 hours of the symptoms being detected, and advised by his GP to take the week off work.
On Monday of this week Cr Brown said he was still experiencing a slight headache and occasional viral cough.
“The Tamiflu does appear to work quite well now I have completed the five-day course,” he said.
Cr Brown said he has had the normal winter flu on three occasions and the swine flu was the mildest of them all.
“I have felt worse for much longer with other viruses, so from my experience the medical reference to it as being mild is accurate,” he said.
“People who smoke would be advised to stop smoking rather than worry about this epidemic of what is a mild flu.”
Greater Dandenong Community Services director Mark Doubleday said Cr Brown was following the DHS guidelines and taking all possible measures not to spread the virus.
“He will not be engaging in any civic duties or attending any community functions until at least this week.”
“Any staff member who is feeling unwell has been advised to stay home.”
“If any staff member is experiencing flu-like symptoms, council has advised them to contact their local GP.”