H1N1 "Swine" Flu Update
Health professionals are moving quickly to respond to outbreaks of H1Ni or "Swine Flu" in different parts of the world, including Mexico, Scotland and the United States. Cases of swine flu have been confirmed right here in southern California in Orange, Los Angeles, Imperial, San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
As of May 6, 2009, California has 106 confirmed and 169 probable H1N1 Influenza cases (275 total). 12 of these cases were reported as being hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported in California. There have been two deaths in Texas. Most confirmed cases of H1N1 in the United States remain mild.
Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs that does not normally affect humans, but human infections can and do happen, sometimes with deadly results. In Mexico – one of the epicenters of the latest outbreak – as many as 149 people have already been killed. Although nearly all of the cases reported in the United States have resulted in a clean bill of health, in two cases the patients have died, so it is extremely important that everyone remain vigilant about their personal health situation and possible exposure to this disease.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have determined that this outbreak is contagious and is spreading from person to person from direct contact. You cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products. The symptoms of swine flu are similar to regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. If you live in an area where swine flu has been positively identified and you have flu-like symptoms, you may want to contact your health care provider to determine whether testing or treatment is needed.
To protect yourself and contain the spread of swine flu in California, here are some common-sense steps that you can take right now:
Health professionals are moving quickly to respond to outbreaks of H1Ni or "Swine Flu" in different parts of the world, including Mexico, Scotland and the United States. Cases of swine flu have been confirmed right here in southern California in Orange, Los Angeles, Imperial, San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
As of May 6, 2009, California has 106 confirmed and 169 probable H1N1 Influenza cases (275 total). 12 of these cases were reported as being hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported in California. There have been two deaths in Texas. Most confirmed cases of H1N1 in the United States remain mild.
Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs that does not normally affect humans, but human infections can and do happen, sometimes with deadly results. In Mexico – one of the epicenters of the latest outbreak – as many as 149 people have already been killed. Although nearly all of the cases reported in the United States have resulted in a clean bill of health, in two cases the patients have died, so it is extremely important that everyone remain vigilant about their personal health situation and possible exposure to this disease.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have determined that this outbreak is contagious and is spreading from person to person from direct contact. You cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products. The symptoms of swine flu are similar to regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. If you live in an area where swine flu has been positively identified and you have flu-like symptoms, you may want to contact your health care provider to determine whether testing or treatment is needed.
To protect yourself and contain the spread of swine flu in California, here are some common-sense steps that you can take right now:
- 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 hand cleaners are also effective.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you get sick with flu, health professionals recommend that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to avoid infecting them.
For the latest updates on swine flu, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ or the California Department of Public Health's (CDPH) website linked below. Also, CDPH's Swine Flu (H1N1) Hotline for the public is 1-888-865-0564.
