The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported eight confirmed human cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 in the USA (six in California and two in Texas) and nine suspect cases. Seven of the confirmed cases had mild Influenza-Like Illness (ILI), with only one requiring brief hospitalization. No deaths have been reported. All six cases in California were detected through routine surveillance for seasonal influenza.
Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry). In addition, there have been documented cases of one person spreading swine flu to others.
Today, the Centers for Disease Control reported over 800 similar cases in Mexico with 59 related deaths, which appear to be related to the cases in the United States. As result, CDC increased their surveillance efforts and asked all California counties to test hospitalized individuals with flu-like symptoms to for possible swine flu virus.
Dr. Mark Netherda, Deputy Health Officer for Sonoma County emphasized, "At this time, there have been no cases of swine flu in Sonoma County and no indication of an increase in influenza-like illness." He further explained, "This is an unusual strain of flu virus, and we are carefully monitoring the situation in California, along with the State and Centers for Disease Control." As always, Dr. Netherda advises, persons with a respiratory illness and fever to stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections, including influenza and other respiratory illnesses, to others in their communities. In addition, frequent hand washing and covering your cough can also lessen the spread of respiratory illness.
An alert has been issued to all health care providers in Sonoma County informing them of signs and symptoms of Swine Flu, testing protocols and treatment.
The Department of Health Services receives regular updates from the State Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control. The Sonoma County Public Health Division website has been updated to reflect this new information and will be posting additional information for the public as it becomes available. This in formation is available at www.sonoma-county.org/publichealth. For other links with updated information, please visit www.sonoma-county.org/health/ph/news/20090424flu.htm.
Contact: Mark Netherda, MD
Deputy Public Health Officer
707-565-4400
