Public Health officials in Lincoln County are working with Public Health officials in Raleigh to monitor cases of swine influenza across the country.
While no cases of Swine Flu have been reported in North Carolina state public health officials are asking residents to remain aware of events as they develop and to follow the same precautions they take during any flu season. People should cover their mouths and noses when sneezing or coughing, avoid close contact with people who are sick and wash their hands frequently.
People who have recently traveled to any of the affected states (California, Kansas, New York, Ohio, and Texas) or Mexico and develop flu-like symptoms should contact their health provider and inform them of their travel to those areas. These symptoms may include: fever (greater than 100 degrees F), sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache and body aches, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting and severe pneumonia and respiratory failure. Individuals who have been exposed to someone possibly infected with swine flu, during the past 7 days should report their illnesses to their health care provider immediately and inform them of their recent travel. People who have flu –like symptoms but do not require medical care should not go to the emergency departments or doctor’s offices just for testing. This will reduce chances for transmission in the health care settings.
As of Monday afternoon CDC confirmed 40 cases of swine influenza infection in humans, 7 in California, 2 in Kansas, 28 in New York City, 1 in Ohio, and 2 in Texas.
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu virus can be transmitted from pigs to humans through contact with live pigs, and cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses have been documented.
For more information about influenza prevention efforts in North Carolina please visit www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/gcdc/flu.html. For more information about the on-going Swine flu event nationally please visit www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/index.htm. North Carolina residents who want general information about swine influenza may call the NC Department of Health and Human Services’ Care-Line: 1-800-662-7030 (English and Spanish) and 1-877-452-2514 (TTY)
For Immediate Release April 27, 2009