Local H1N1 flu Web site launches

Augusta-area hospitals are coming together to put out local information on the influenza A H1N1 virus pandemic, and they're doing it on the Web.

After some tinkering, the G-Line Web site is ready for public viewing, said webmaster James Wilde, an associate professor of pediatric emergency medicine at the Medical College of Georgia and a member of the MCG and statewide pandemic flu planning task forces. Though it will contain information on swine flu in Georgia and the nation, the site will be updated weekly on what is happening with the pandemic in the area, he said.

"The key with G-Line is we're trying to keep it simple," Dr. Wilde said. "We're trying to just put up the central information that the community needs to know, both in the medical community and the regular community."

The "G" comes from the Georgia Hospital Association's designation of the Augusta area as Region G. All 14 hospitals in this region and the East Central Health District are collaborating on the site and will contribute.

The update posted Friday notes that a large amount of flulike illness is still being seen at area hospitals, "although the numbers appear to be declining." There have been two deaths in the Augusta region from confirmed cases of the virus since late August, according to the updates.

The site will include information on emergency room volumes and whether the pandemic is causing a lot of local children to miss school.

"So far, school absenteeism has not been a major problem, and we anticipate that the coming Thanksgiving break may help to further suppress the spread of the H1N1 virus," according to the update.

The site will also answer frequently asked questions, and ultimately people will be able to submit questions, Dr. Wilde said. There will also be video lectures and links to newspaper articles.

"We're tying to make it so that it is locally relevant," Dr. Wilde said. "We want people to be able to go to that site and get a very quick and easy instant flavor for what's going on in the community."

Reach Tom Corwin at (706) 823-3213 or tom.corwin@augustachronicle.com.