Aloha … from BetheHealth officials urge precautions,
not over-reaction to swine flu
For updates, please visit the CDC's Web site, cdc.gov/swineflu.
RANDOLPH, April 28, 2009 – An outbreak of swine influenza in Mexico and now other nations, including the United States, has public health officials on alert.
While no cases have been reported in Vermont – or even New England – Gifford Medical Center is joining the Vermont Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in reminding the public of the signs of the flu and how to help prevent its spread.
Swine flu is a respiratory infection caused by a virus. It regularly causes outbreaks in pigs and does infect humans, although rarely.
Public health officials have determined that this strain of swine flu virus is spreading from human to human. It’s not spread through the consumption or handling of pork products.
This is the first time this strain has been detected in the U.S. and as of 11 a.m. on Tuesday, the CDC had confirmed the virus in 64 people living in the states of California, Kansas, New York, Ohio and Texas. The majority of cases are in New York City.
While deaths have occurred in Mexico, cases in the U.S. have been more mild. Five people have been hospitalized, mainly those with other chronic conditions. Most U.S. cases, however, have been in young, healthy teens and adults who have suffered symptoms similar to the seasonal flu, stayed home and got well – some with the aid of antiviral drugs Relenza or Tamiflu.
Symptoms of the swine flu mirror those of the seasonal flu. Those symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache and body aches, fatigue and in some cases vomiting and diarrhea.
Those who have traveled to Mexico during the outbreak or who have been exposed to someone who is possibly infected with swine flu and who are experiencing symptoms should do what they normally would do when ill – call their health care provider if needed to seek advice on treatment.
“The tools to minimize the spread of infection already exist,” said Gifford Quality Improvement Specialist Thom Goodwin. “We know how to protect ourselves from this.”
Those tools include being extra diligent in washing your hands, especially after coughing or sneezing; staying home from work, school or day care if you’re sick; and wearing a mask to protect others if you’re sick and have to go out in public or to the doctor’s office.
“This has not yet been reported in Vermont, but we can all work to help reduce its spread by taking reasonable precautions, such as regularly washing our hands, covering our coughs and talking to our health care providers,” said Erin Boettcher, Gifford’s infection prevention and education nurse.
More information, including up-to-date reports on incidents of the swine flu in the United States and travel precautions, is available on the Department of Health’s Web site, healthvermont.gov, or through the CDC at cdc.gov/swineflu.