For use of St. Thomas Aquinas HS courtesy of Lake Local Schools

Information Regarding Swine Flu

For immediate release

April 28, 2009

As you may already know, an outbreak of swine flu has caused the U.S. to issue a public health emergency. Although we do not have any known cases in Stark County, there is one reported case in Lorain County.  Local schools and the Stark County Health Department are monitoring the situation closely and will communicate with the public immediately should any risk to the district be identified. 

The State of Ohio has established an information hot-line that is open from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm Monday through Friday to answer questions that you might have regarding the Swine Flu.  The number to call is 1-866-800-1404.  You may also contact Christina Gruber RN, Unit Manager at the Stark County Health Department at 330-493-9928 extension 245. Below please find several links that might help in regard to additional information.

For updated information about the swine flu, click on the links below. The CDC also has a very good Q & A on their site. It is titled "Swine Flu & You" under General Swine Flu information. 

www.cdc.gov/swineflu

http://www.odh.ohio.gov/landing/phs_emergency/swineflu.aspx

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/qa.htm

 For your convenience, below are a few of the questions located on the Center for Disease Control that address the most common questions regarding this illness.

What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it’s possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person also.

Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.?
In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.

Is this swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How serious is swine flu infection?
Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

How do you catch swine flu?
Spread of swine flu can occur in two ways:

• Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses.
• Through contact with a person with swine flu. Human-to-human spread of swine flu has been documented also and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.