Swine flu watch

Published 1:53 am Monday, May 4, 2009

By By MaryClaire Foster
Concern is growing around the nation and the world over the H1N1 flu, commonly known as swine flu, as more and more cases are reported everyday leading the United States Government to declare a public health emergency.
The Alabama Department of Public Health announced late Saturday afternoon five additional probable cases of swine influenza from Madison County and Alabama’s first confirmed case by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Swine influenza virus is a respiratory infection caused by influenza type A viruses that typically cause outbreaks of influenza in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can occur with three major occurrences in the U.S. in the 20th century.
Human cases typically involve people who have had direct contact with pigs, but recent cases show person-to-person transmission.
One of the probable cases is in an adult male resident from Montgomery County, and the remainder of the cases are residents of Madison County who are associated with the Madison City Schools. All have had no contact with pigs nor have recently traveled out of the country or been in contact with others who have.
Local general practice physician Jonah McIntyre, M.D. said he has checked several patients for the flu strain, and with having no probable cases in the area reminds the public not to panic over the virus.
In a state department of public health press release, Dr. Donald Williamson, state health officer, gave a reminder that this flu strain serves no bigger threat to the general population than seasonal flu.
In a press conference held Friday, Williamson said at this time the state health department is not recommending the cancellation of large scale events due to the mildness of the strain, but did advise the public to be aware and take precautions, such as frequently washing hands or using hand sanitizer.
McIntyre said if someone is having flu-like symptoms that his office can check for the virus. McIntyre said as a reminder that unless the strain is type A the patient is not at risk for the swine flu.
Local family medicine physician Jon Yoder, M.D. said his office has received a few calls of concern, and have not had any positive flu patients since the pandemic has occurred.
He too stressed the fact that this strain is no worse than seasonal flu, which he said affects a lot more people annually.
Escambia County Assistant Superintendent Randall Little said the system is keeping updated on information being passed down by officials at the Alabama Department of Education as well as the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Little said state health and education officials have said the strain of the virus that has caused one Alabama school to close is far less severe than a normal viral strain.
Antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza are available by prescription. They are effective in this disease if the patient starts to take them within the first 48 hours of illness. All persons are reminded to follow these precautions in day care centers, schools and homes:
Swine influenza cannot be transmitted from eating pork or pork products. The symptoms of swine flu in people appear to be similar to the symptoms of regular human influenza and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. As with seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

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