Mayor: No cause for alarm over swine flu in Las Vegas

By Kyle B. Hansen

Thursday, April 30, 2009 | 1:09 p.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said during his weekly press conference today that there was no reason for alarm over concerns about the spread of swine flu.

“It's important that people do not panic,” Goodman said. “The city, I want you to know, is prepared in the event the spread of the H1N1 flu becomes more serious.”

Fire Chief Greg Gammon said that the fire department is taking extra precautions when dealing with patients who may have been exposed to the flu.

A firefighter wearing a mask does not mean that the flu is in the area, he said. Emergency responders wear protective equipment when they respond to all situations that involve respiratory illnesses as a precautionary measure.

“We want the community to get used to seeing us with these masks and gloves on but we don’t want them to be alarmed,” Gammon said. “Until this outbreak is over they will continue to see first responders throughout the valley wearing the masks and gloves.”

Goodman said worries about the swine flu should not prevent people from traveling to or from Las Vegas as the CDC has said it is safe for people to travel within and to the United States.

“We encourage people to come here,” he said. “There’s no reason not to come here. It’s probably a lot safer here than where they are.”