Nick Icossipentarhos

"One of the labs (that makes vaccines) is being re-done," said Nick Icossipentarhos of HCPHD."Until that production facility is back on line, we're in deep trouble."

He said people should be very careful about what animals they handle and stay away from any stray or unfamiliar animals.
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"It's very very serious," said Icossipentarhos.

Nick Icossipentarhos, director of the Hays County Personal Health Department, said there are also a couple of suspected cases that have not been confirmed.

He said he's not aware that anyone who has contracted salmonella locally has sought hospital treatment.

Though flu is not a reportable condition, Hays County Personal Health Director Nick Icossipentarhos said the center made a "courtesy call" to his agency about the closure.

Nick Icossipentarhos, DirectorHays County Personal Health Departmentnick.i@co.hays.tx.us

Nick Icossopentarhos, a naturalized citizen of the United States, is director of the Hays County Personal Health Department.Nick and his wife Rosemary were local business owners of Pentar Enterprises for 26 years, providing computer network, sales and service. Icossipentarhis is a veteran of the U.S. Army, a nurse and past disability examiner of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission; he is a graduate of the Texas State University College of Health Administration. His lengthy community involvement includes the Rotary Club of Greater San Marcos, the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce, the San Marcos Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Hays County Criminal Justice Association.

Nick Icossipentarhos, DirectorHays County Personal Health Departmentnick.i@co.hays.tx.us

Hays County Personal Health Director Nick Icossipentarhos said Wednesday that Hays is among counties experiencing a spike in reported cases of the flu.

"In the past 14 days, there have been 400 plus lab tested cases in the region," said Icossipentarhos."There have been over 900 cases of flu-like symptoms.They had everything but the lab confirmation."

Flu-like symptoms include fever, nausea, stuffiness and joint and muscle aches.

Icossipentarhos said people who don't get vaccinated catch the flu and then pass the flu on to others instead of going to the doctor.

"The problem we have is that people that have it develop pneumonia and have to be hospitalized," Icossipentarhos said.

Usually symptoms last four to seven days and can be treated with anti-viral medication or antibiotics and some over-the-counter treatments.But the best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated, Icossipentarhos said.

"The interesting thing is this year they got the mix of vaccines just right," Icossipentarhos said.But he suspects the flu spike indicates that a lot of people didn't bother to get the vaccine.

San Marcos CISD officials said they have not noticed an increase in cases of the flu, and that they will keep up preventative measures.

All people with medical problems or who are undergoing chemotherapy and people over the age of 50 should be vaccinated, Icossipentarhos said.

Nick Icossopentarhos, a naturalized citizen of the United States, is director of the Hays County Personal Health Department.Nick and his wife Rosemary were local business owners of Pentar Enterprises for 26 years, providing computer network, sales and service.

Icossipentarhis is a veteran of the U.S. Army, a nurse and past disability examiner of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission; he is a graduate of the Texas State University College of Health Administration.

His lengthy community involvement includes the Rotary Club of Greater San Marcos, the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce, the San Marcos Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Hays County Criminal Justice Association.

Speakers include Nick Icossipentarhos, director of Hays County Personal Health; who will address the impact of immigrants on public health care systems; Niki Konecki, coordinator of Bilingual and English As A Second Language programs at San Marcos CISD, who will present information on innovative programs available for immigrant children in San Marcos CISD; and Captain Bo Kidd of the Hays County Sheriff's Department, who will focus on how immigration is affecting local law enforcement.

Nick Icossipentarhos, the county's personal health department director, said his office has been swamped with requests for help from families that have had trouble enrolling or re-enrolling after being dropped.

"Unfortunately, when people try to call for help they can't get through a lot of the times," Icossipentarhos said.