San Juan Basin Health swine flu update

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DURANGO, Colo. – While no confirmed cases of the swine influenza have been reported in Colorado or New Mexico, San Juan Basin Health Department is urging general flu prevention.

The total current number of U.S. confirmed cases is now 40. These are in California, Texas, Kansas, New York City and Ohio. These cases have all been relatively mild. At this time, just one of the U.S. cases was hospitalized and all the known cases in this country have recovered.

The outbreak is on-going and additional cases are expected, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). San Juan Basin Health Department receives daily state and federal briefings and is are working with community partners such as La Plata County Office of Emergency Management, school districts, the County Sheriff’s Office and healthcare providers to get the appropriate information out to different parts of the community.

Individuals are encouraged to take normal personal precautions to decrease chances of getting flu: wash hands frequently; keep hands away from the face; cover sneezes and coughs with sleeves (not hands); and avoid others with respiratory illnesses. There is currently no change in routine recommendations for flu prevention.

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to symptoms of seasonal flu including: fever greater than 100 degrees, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache and body aches, fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Additionally, stay at home – again, the same as for the regular seasonal flu. If symptoms become more severe, call a healthcare provider.

Colorado Chief Medical Officer Ned Calonge said, “We are asking all individuals with mild flu-like illness to stay home. This is regardless of travel history. Children and adolescents with fever should not go to day care or school. Adults with fever should not go to work until their symptoms resolve.”

The CDC did issue a travel advisory Monday, April 27, recommending that U.S. travelers avoid all non-essential travel to Mexico. Those interested can check for changes to this recommendation at www.cdc.gov/travel/.  

Regardless of how this current swine flu outbreak progresses, San Juan Basin Health advises that this is a good opportunity to prepare for an emergency that might require individuals to remain at home for several days to several weeks. For more information, visit www.readycolorado.com

As this is a rapidly evolving situation, the most up to the minute information is available at: www.cdc.gov/swineflu/. San Juan Basin Health Department will also be updating its website www.sjbhd.org as information changes.

 

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