Following confirmation by U.S. health officials that cases of swine flu have been identified in California, Texas and Mexico, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is asking health care providers across the state to have a high index of suspicion regarding cases of influenza like illness. All of the cases reported in the U.S. have recovered.
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Due to the ability of the virus to mutate, sporadic human infections can occur. The symptoms of swine flu are similar to seasonal influenza and typically include fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and runny nose. Additional symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, headache, chills, fatigue, pneumonia and respiratory failure. Persons with swine flu are contagious for up to seven days after the onset of illness and possibly longer if they are still symptomatic.
“There have been no cases of swine flu virus reported in Virginia,” said Virginia State Health Commissioner, Karen Remley, MD, MBA, FAAP. “We are contacting health care providers in the state alerting them of the situation and asking them to test individuals who have flu-like symptoms and have traveled to affected areas up to 7 days before becoming ill.” These areas include: San Diego County and Imperial County, California; Guadalupe County, Texas and Mexico. Internationally, the virus has been confirmed in Mexico.
People planning to travel outside of the U.S. should consult the CDC’s website or contact their toll free hotline at 800-CDC-INFO for the latest travel guidance and outbreak notices.
CDC has determined that this virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, they have not determined how easily the virus spreads between people. As with any infectious disease, CDC is recommending precautionary measures for people residing in the areas where the virus has been identified.
VDH encourages anyone with influenza like illness to follow these standard guidelines:
- If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Four different antiviral drugs are licensed for use in the U.S. for the treatment of influenza. At this time, CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses. More information on treatment recommendations can be found at www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/recommendations.htm.
“Virginia will continue to closely follow the CDC’s investigation and will continue to communicate with the public and health care providers as more information becomes available,” said Remley. Local health districts across the Commonwealth are also working closely with the medical community to monitor this issue.
For more information on swine flu and the ongoing CDC investigation, visit cdc.gov/flu/swine/index.htm
[pic from saurihulla]
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Be interesting to see what if any impact this swine flu issue has on the desire of some to increase urban density afterall some will argue that increased density will help diseases spread.
I would think “swine flu” implies that the pigs are in close confinement (since the virus is affecting so many pigs) … the spread to humans relates to the proliferation of the virus amongst the pigs. Not sure how this relates to urban density unless you’re bringing the crowded pig farm to the city. I think more would argue that the living conditions of the pigs are in question.
um … aren’t there like 12 cases at UVA hospital?
not very likely, the CDC is talking about 8 cases in NYC. Are you sure or is this something your heard?
jon, really? can you email gossip@cvillain.com with details?
google maps live tracking shows no cases in VA – maybe those cases are still not verified?
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=p&msa=0&msid=106484775090296685271.0004681a37b713f6b5950&ll=32.639375,-110.390625&spn=15.738151,25.488281&z=5
Peace through extinction.
After meeting with Mr. Obama, Sen. Collins expressed concern about a number of spending provisions, including $780 million for pandemic-flu preparedness. “I have no doubt that the president is willing to negotiate in good faith, that he wants to have a bipartisan bill,” Sen. Collins said.
Rove specifically complained that Obey’s proposal included “$462 million for the Centers for Disease Control, and $900 million for pandemic flu preparations.”
Its all just “‘pork” in the spending bill? Yeah. Lets just get rid of that… aaand enjoy your swine flu.
And don’t get me started on “volcano monitoring” and the subsequent eruptions. It is as if god himself is fucking with the GOP.
/went there.
Except the money got appropriated a month later anyway. And Chuck Schumer was one of the people specifically calling it “pork”.
God may indeed by fucking with the GOP, but they’re not alone. To try and pass all the blame onto the Republicans is stupid.
The Obama administration declared a “public health emergency” Sunday to confront the swine flu — but is heading into its first medical outbreak without a secretary of Health and Human Services or appointees in any of the department’s 19 key posts.
President Barack Obama has not yet chosen a surgeon general or the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. His choice to run the Food and Drug Administration awaits confirmation.
Just blame the freaking pigs, and maybe this kid, and move along.
/don’t go there
To try and pass all the blame onto the Republicans is stupid.
Sorry if it came out that way, there is definitely enough blame to go around. I was merely trying (and clearly failing) to set up a comical juxtaposition is all. Volcanos? Boom! Pandemic? Bam!
/posting prior to coffee is bad.