2008/2007/2006/2005/2004/2003/2002

Public Advised on Swine Flu
[.pdf]

El Dorado County health officials are closely monitoring national and state reports on swine influenza, and have implemented local surveillance activities with hospitals and healthcare providers. As of April 28 at 10:00 a.m., there are currently no known cases of swine flu in El Dorado County. Sacramento County has reported three confirmed cases, there have been eleven cases reported in California, and nationally there have been 64 cases confirmed to date. With increased and on-going surveillance across the nation, the number of cases of confirmed swine flu changes frequently. “The good news is that all of the people who have become ill with swine flu in the United States have had relatively mild cases and have recovered,” said Dean Kelaita, M.D., El Dorado County Interim Health Officer.

“At this time, we are advising members of the public to take precautions against swine flu as they would with the regular flu,” said Dr. Kelaita. “Everyday actions are simple but highly effective in prevention of respiratory disease.” Kelaita recommends the community take the following prevention steps:

Everyday Actions to Stay Healthy:

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home from work or school until your symptoms are gone. Limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissue in the trash.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

“We are encouraging businesses to support their workers in staying home if they are sick with the flu or need to attend to children who are sick with the flu,” added Dr. Kelaita. Most people who get the flu need supportive care such as extra fluids, rest and over-the-counter medication. If symptoms are severe or persist, it is recommended that a healthcare provider be consulted. Persons who recently traveled to Mexico and become ill with flu-like symptoms should contact their medical provider. Flu symptoms include fever, cough and sore throat. Other symptoms may occur such as runny nose, body aches, vomiting and diarrhea.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type A influenza virus. The virus regularly causes outbreaks of flu among pigs. Swine flu does not normally infect humans. However, human infections with swine flu do occur. Public health officials have determined that this strain of swine flu spreads from human to human.

Information on swine flu has been posted on El Dorado County Public Health’s website at www.edcgov.us/publichealth and on the Public Health Hotline (which is a recorded message) at (530) 621-6140. Updates will be posted to these locations on an on-going basis.