NC Public Health Officials Monitor H1N1 (Swine) Flu and Advise Common-Sense Steps to Prevention

A new flu strain – a mix of pig, human, and bird viruses – has been deadly in other countries but has, so far, been causing milder illness in the United States. While authorities say it’s not time to panic, they are taking steps to stem the spread and urging people to pay close attention to the latest health warnings. Public Health leaders in North Carolina are monitoring the H1N1 Influenza cases in other States across the country. While no cases of H1N1 flu have been reported in North Carolina, state public health officials are asking North Carolina residents to remain aware of events as they develop and to follow the same precautions they take during any flu season.

 

As of Wednesday, there had been a total of 41 suspected cases across the state, 23 tested negative for H1N1 flu and 17 are still pending. “We are working very closely with providers, and they are investigating cases on a daily bases”, North Carolina State Health Director, Jeff Engel, said. “It’s a very fluid situation, and there will be suspect cases. People travel all the time.” He said the majority of the people who are suspected of having the virus in North Carolina had traveled to Mexico recently and had flu symptoms. None of the patients have been hospitalized and all have been ordered to in-home isolation, Engel said.

 

According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) here’s what you need to know:

 

Question: How do I protect myself and my family?

Answer: For now, take common-sense precautions.

·       Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if water and soap are not available.

·       Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue; throw the used tissue into a trash can.

·       Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

·       Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

·       If you are sick, do not go to work or school; stay away from other people as much as possible.

·       If you develop flu symptoms, call your health care provider.

·       Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

 

Question: How easy is it to catch this virus?

Answer: Scientists don’t yet know if it takes fairly close or prolonged contact with someone who’s sick, or if it’s more easily spread. But in general, flu viruses spread through uncovered coughs and sneezes or - and this is important – by touching your mouth or nose with unwashed hands. Flu viruses can live on surface and for several hours, like a doorknob just touched by someone who sneezed into his hand.

 

Question: Why are people dying in Mexico and not here?

Answer: That’s a huge mystery. First, understand that no one really knows just how many people in Mexico are dying of this flu strain or how many have it. Only a fraction suspected deaths have been tested and confirmed as swine flu, and some initially suspected cases were caused by something else.

 

Question: What are the symptoms?

Answer: They are similar to regular human flu – a fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people also have diarrhea and vomiting.

 

Question: How do I know if I should see a doctor?

Answer: Health authorities say if you live in places where swine flu cases have been confirmed, or you recently traveled to Mexico, and you have those symptoms, your doctor can decide whether you need treatment or to be tested.

 

Question: Did last winter’s flu shot protect me?

Answer: Probably not. Even though it did protect against the Type A family of flu viruses that this new swine flu belongs to, the CDC ran some preliminary tests and doesn’t think it offered any cross-protection.

 

Question: Why are people calling it swine flu if it’s not just from pigs? Did it really come from pigs?

Answer: Pigs do spread their own strains of influenza, and every so often people catch one, usually after contact with the animals. This new virus is a mix of human, pigs, and bird viruses, but the name, for ease, was shortened to swine flu – and unlike typical swine flu, it is spreading from person to person.

 

Question: So is it safe to eat pork?

Answer: Yes, influenza viruses don’t spread through food.

 

State and Local Health Officials urge residents not to panic. The Toe River Health District (TRHD) advises people to stay at home if they are sick, cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing, and wash hands frequently. TRHD recommends residents contact their doctor if they have traveled recently and are having symptoms of the virus, which is now thought to have an incubation period of two to seven days. Local Health Officials are trying to manage the situation so doesn’t get out of control. There is no reason for alarm at this point.

 

While the virus is not considered pandemic – when an epidemic is widespread over a large geographic area – state and U.S. health officials said Monday they are prepared for a pandemic. Engel said the state is well-prepared should the outbreak escalate to that level. “Although we could always be better prepared, we have never been as well prepared as we are today”, he said. North Carolina has a stockpile of 660,000 treatment courses of the flu drugs Tami-flu and Relenza, and has requested additional backup antiviral medication from the federal government.

 

Engel said people cannot contract swine flu by eating pork and there have been no reports of increased flu activity among swine in the U.S. He also said the state is also working with the office of minority health to spread information about the virus and to prevent concern about the state’s Hispanic population. “Just because someone is Mexican doesn’t mean they are carrying the virus”, he said.

 

For childcare providers, first and most importantly, remind parents and others to enforce policies for having children stay at home during their illness. In addition, remind and inform workers not to come to work while ill. Provide information to parents on steps that they can take to prevent flu. Childcare staff should clean/disinfect frequently touched surfaces within the facility. Childcare and preschool programs can help protect the children and families they serve by calling attention to the everyday preventive actions parents can take to protect their children.

 

Please stay informed by paying attention to news reports. You may also get information at www.cdc.gov, www.ncpublichealth.com, or CARE LINE, the toll-free number that North Carolinians can use to get answers to their questions. The CARE LINE number is 1-800-662-7030. For more questions or concerns about H1N1 Influenza infection please contact your primary care physician or the local health department.