Swine flu case reported in Michigan

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   Swine flu case reported in Michigan
    LDN Staff - 
    Monday, April 27, 2009
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) announced today that
one probable swine flu case has been reported in Livingston County.
State laboratory results showed that a 34-year-old woman has a probable
case of the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus.
  No one in the regional health department area has been reported as having the virus yet. 

 Anyone with the specific flu symptoms the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention is looking out for is asked to go to their
family physician to determine whether testing is necessary. 

  Memorial Medical Center of Ludington reported no cases of flu of any kind over the weekend. 

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.

  Fevers of more than 100 degrees are those the District Health Department are saying need attention.

The state laboratory results of the Livingston County woman will be
sent to the CDC today to determine if the case is positive. The woman,
who recently traveled to the Texas and Mexico border, is recovering at
home.

“We are monitoring the situation here in Michigan and we are informing
all health care providers on what to look for when they evaluate and
treat sick patients,” said Dr. James Wilson, Medical Director for
District Health Department No. 10. “This probable case is not a cause
for alarm but we do want people to be cautious. It is important that
people cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze and wash their
hands frequently to help prevent the spread of germs. If people are
sick, they should stay home from work or school.”

Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a virus that may
also infect humans. Symptoms are similar to regular seasonal influenza
and include fever, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache
and body aches, and fatigue. Some people have also reported diarrhea
and vomiting. As with any flu, there is a possibility of worsening of
underlying medical conditions, severe illness, or death.

As of 1 p.m. today, there have been 40 confirmed cases of swine flu in
the U.S. – 28 in New York City, 7 in California, 2 in Kansas, and 1 in
Ohio, with a large outbreak in Mexico. U.S. cases have been mild with
no deaths reported. Persons with symptoms of flu should contact their
health care providers for possible testing and should report any recent
travel. Persons traveling to affected areas should be aware of the risk
of illness and take precautions to prevent infection.

Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food and people cannot catch
it from eating pork products. Infection appears to spread from person
to person, usually within 7 days after exposure to an ill person. There
is currently no vaccine for swine flu, and the regular seasonal flu
shot will not protect against it. Antiviral medications may help reduce
illness if taken early.

  The Health Department recommends the following:

• As always, people with respiratory illness should stay home from work
or school to avoid spreading infections, including influenza, to others
in the community.

	•	Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.

	•	Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

	•	Wash your hands frequently, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

	•	Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

	•	Contact your health care provider if you are sick.

“We are receiving frequent updates from MDCH and we will provide you
with additional information when it becomes available,” said Dr.
Wilson. The CDC posts regular updates to its website at www.cdc.gov/swineflu. Information is also available on the Health Department website at www.dhd10.org.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS from the CDC:

Swine Influenza and You

What is swine flu?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by
type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People
do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen.
Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person,
but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond
three people.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
July Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Valued Member Joined: May 24 2006 Status: Offline Points: 1660	Post Options Post Reply Quote July Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Swine flu case reported in Michigan Posted: April 27 2009 at 3:46pm
	Swine flu case reported in Michigan LDN Staff - Monday, April 27, 2009 The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) announced today that one probable swine flu case has been reported in Livingston County. State laboratory results showed that a 34-year-old woman has a probable case of the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus. No one in the regional health department area has been reported as having the virus yet. Anyone with the specific flu symptoms the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is looking out for is asked to go to their family physician to determine whether testing is necessary. Memorial Medical Center of Ludington reported no cases of flu of any kind over the weekend. 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. Fevers of more than 100 degrees are those the District Health Department are saying need attention. The state laboratory results of the Livingston County woman will be sent to the CDC today to determine if the case is positive. The woman, who recently traveled to the Texas and Mexico border, is recovering at home. “We are monitoring the situation here in Michigan and we are informing all health care providers on what to look for when they evaluate and treat sick patients,” said Dr. James Wilson, Medical Director for District Health Department No. 10. “This probable case is not a cause for alarm but we do want people to be cautious. It is important that people cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze and wash their hands frequently to help prevent the spread of germs. If people are sick, they should stay home from work or school.” Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a virus that may also infect humans. Symptoms are similar to regular seasonal influenza and include fever, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache and body aches, and fatigue. Some people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting. As with any flu, there is a possibility of worsening of underlying medical conditions, severe illness, or death. As of 1 p.m. today, there have been 40 confirmed cases of swine flu in the U.S. – 28 in New York City, 7 in California, 2 in Kansas, and 1 in Ohio, with a large outbreak in Mexico. U.S. cases have been mild with no deaths reported. Persons with symptoms of flu should contact their health care providers for possible testing and should report any recent travel. Persons traveling to affected areas should be aware of the risk of illness and take precautions to prevent infection. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food and people cannot catch it from eating pork products. Infection appears to spread from person to person, usually within 7 days after exposure to an ill person. There is currently no vaccine for swine flu, and the regular seasonal flu shot will not protect against it. Antiviral medications may help reduce illness if taken early. The Health Department recommends the following: • As always, people with respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections, including influenza, to others in the community. • Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. • Wash your hands frequently, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. • Contact your health care provider if you are sick. “We are receiving frequent updates from MDCH and we will provide you with additional information when it becomes available,” said Dr. Wilson. The CDC posts regular updates to its website at www.cdc.gov/swineflu. Information is also available on the Health Department website at www.dhd10.org. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS from the CDC: Swine Influenza and You What is swine flu? Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.