All U.S. States except Hawaii are reporting widespread flu activity, according to the centers for disease control website. While this is not the case in Guantanamo Bay, hospital leaders are taking a proactive approach to sustain this trend.

Kevin Robarge, emergency management, Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay said a pandemic influenza tabletop meeting was held in conjunction with Naval Station and other directorates across the installation. The meeting included discussing tactics to effectively hinder the spread of influenza on base and educate the public.

"During the working group we established communications and action plans," Robarge said. "We determined the best options to educate residents on a variety of topics including effective cough hygiene, hand washing and other tips which will help eliminate the probability of the spread of flu like viruses."

Based on those discussions, informational pamphlets have been distributed on social media sites and in the local newspaper. A public service announcement was created and is being played on the local radio station. Information concerning flu shots being provided at no cost has been published and 13 flu reduction stations were built and are being placed in various high traffic areas around the installation.

LCDR Robert Kimberling, director of public health, USNHGB advised any sick person should stay home unless there is a need to come to the hospital for medical care. He said in a small remote environment, it is imperative to avoid an epidemic.

"The number of flu cases here is not at a level to cause concern," Kimberling said. "Although there is no need to panic, everyone should be proactive to sustain this trend."

For more information about no cost flu shots, call Primary Care Clinic at 72944.

U.S. Navy Hospital Guantanamo Bay embraces providing world-class care by maintaining a reputation for sustaining one of the highest patient satisfaction rates of any military treatment facility in the Navy. The patient population of approximately 5,500 includes military family members, government civilian employees and their families, special category residents, contractors, foreign nationals and migrants.

Navy Medicine is a global health care network of 63,000 personnel that provide health care support to the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, their families and veterans in high operational tempo environments, at expeditionary medical facilities, medical treatment facilities, hospitals, clinics, hospital ships and research units around the world.

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For more news from Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay, visit www.navy.mil/.