The Scotland County Health Department will offer vaccinations for seasonal influenza on Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. at the department headquarters, located at 1405 West Boulevard in Laurinburg. The seasonal flu vaccine will not protect individuals from H1N1, or swine flu, but the Center for Disease Control still recommends that individuals receive the seasonal vaccine as soon as it is available.

Tina Clark, communicable disease supervisor with the Scotland County Health Department, said preventative measures need to be taken to guard against all strains of influenza.

"Right now, H1N1 is the predominant strain, but we need to protect ourselves from the seasonal flu as well," Clark said. "We encourage everyone to come out to our vaccination clinic this Friday to take an important step in protecting oneself this fall."

Swine flu vaccinations should be available in Scotland County by October.

"We may have the vaccine as early as late September, but I have no idea how much the county will receive," Clark said. "It is possible we could set up a vaccination clinic like what we are doing Friday for the seasonal flu, with other entities in addition to the health department providing the service. The state is now looking at various options for administering the H1N1 vaccination."

H1N1 originated in Mexico earlier this year but has since spread around the world as a full-blown pandemic. According to the CDC, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have confirmed cases. The spread of the virus has resulted in 8,843 hospitalizations and 556 deaths in the United States; the CDC reports that most of those hospitalizations have been people with underlying health problems.

"I don't have an official number of swine flu cases in the county at this time," Clark said, "because the only persons tested for the H1N1 strain are those who have been hospitalized with flu-like symptoms and for whom the doctor has requested an evaluation. In any case, the numbers would not necessarily reflect county residents because these patients aren't always from this area. I do know that the cases are increasing."

So far, the virus has caused mild to moderate illness in most individuals.

"The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year," Clark said, adding that prevention also includes maintaining good hygiene.

"Hand washing is an important defense in preventing the flu," she said, "along with practicing the proper cough and sneeze etiquette. For example, if no tissue is available, you can limit the spread of germs by coughing or sneezing into your elbow. And if you cannot wash your hands with soap and water, use hand sanitizer until you can thoroughly wash your hands."

Scotland County Schools Spokesperson Andy Cagle said the school system is delivering a similar message to students on the importance of good hygiene as a preventative measure against the flu.

"We are encouraging proper handwashing techniques, the need to cover coughs and sneezes, and we are urging parents to keep children at home if they are displaying classic flu symptoms," Cagle said. "Staff have been asked to remind students to use soap and water in the restrooms, and to use hand sanitizer in class. We have been fortunate so far, and have had no more than the normal amount of sickness that you would expect to see at the beginning of the school year."

H1N1 is spread through respiratory droplets that are projected by coughing and sneezing, and individuals can become infected by coming in contact with contaminated surfaces. CDC studies show the virus can infect a person from two to eight hours after being deposited.