Area health departments including the one in Labette County are monitoring the Swine Flu situation which now has reached Kansas with active cases.
Debbi Baugher from the Health County Health Department and Jim Cook, Director of Emergency Preparedness, are staying in contact with officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), learning all they can about the flu and its possible impact within Kanas.
No swine flu cases have been reported in southeast Kansas.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has confirmed two cases of swine flu in Kansas involving two adults residing in the same household in Dickinson County. Neither of the patients was hospitalized–one is still ill and being treated, and one is recovering.
One of the patients had recently traveled to Mexico, flying in and out of Wichita. Both persons work in Saline County and became ill with the same unique (HIN1) strain of swine flu that has been identified in Mexico, California and Texas.
Local health departments and hospitals in Kansas are being continuously updated and provided with information about the swine flu virus.
In accordance with the Kansas Response Plan, KDHE is also monitoring and instituting recommendations from CDC for any additional influenza disease surveillance activities, reviewing plans to further enhance those activities, and advising health care providers to use rapid detection tests for persons who have symptoms consistent with swine flu, especially if they have recently been in Mexico, and taking other steps under the plan.
The symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include:
• Fever greater than 100 degrees
• Body aches
• Coughing
• Sore throat
• Respiratory congestion
• In some cases, diarrhea and vomiting
Individuals who experience the above symptoms should contact their physician, who will determine whether testing or treatment is needed. There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. As with any influenza virus, individuals are encouraged to take the following steps to reduce spread:
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to co-workers and friends.
Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.
Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise.
Swine flu infections in humans are rare, but are related to close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig production barns and livestock exhibits at fairs. Neither of the current patients in Kansas reported having contact with pigs.
For more information and updates, visit the KDHE website at www.kdheks.gov.––Jonathan York, Response & Recovery Branch Director, Kansas Division of Emergency Management, or contact the Labette Health Department at 620 421-4350.