ELEVEN SWINE FLU CASES CONFIRMED IN WOOD COUNTY

(06/09/2009)
Five more Swine Flu cases have been confirmed in Wood County, according to Sherif Ibrahim, MD., MPH Regional Epidemiologist.

The five newest cases are teenagers with an average age between 11 and 15 years old. No reported hospitalizations.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases in Wood County to eleven.

The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department is asking everyone to follow these preventive measures:

(1) If you have flu-like symptoms please stay home and check with your doctor immediately.

(2) If you have been diagnosed with the flu or H1N1 influenza you should stay home for at least one week after your symptoms begins or until you have been symptoms-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer, take your medications as prescribed, keep yourself hydrated by drinking clear fluids and get plenty of rest.

(3) Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, such as work, school, travel, camps, shopping, social or religious events, and public gatherings.

4) Wash your hands frequently throughout the day. You may also use alcohol-based hand cleaners. 5) Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue when you cough or sneeze. 6) Avoid touching your eyes, or nose.

(7) Maintain cleaning of the most commonly used surfaces, such as tables, knobs, phones, etc.

(8) Be vigilant. Try to identify flu-like symptoms as early as possible. 9) Keep your distance, at least 6 feet, from anyone who displays flu-like illness.

(10) Swine flu symptoms are similar to that of regular flu and may include fever, headache, sore throat, cough, sneezing, body aches, and occasional diarrhea and vomiting.

(11) If you are 65 years or older, 5 years or younger, pregnant, or having a chronic medical condition, such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, etc. the Health Department is urging you to check with your doctor if you have flu-like symptoms or have been exposed to a known case of H1N1 influenza.

The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department will keep you informed when more information becomes available. For questions or concerns call your Health Department at (304) 485-7374.