SWINE FLU

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIAApril 27, 2009 Department ofHealthCommonwealth News BureauRoom308, Main Capitol BuildingHarrisburg, PA 17120CONTACT: Stacy Kriedeman(717) 787-1783PENNSYLVANIA WORKING CLOSELY WITH FEDERAL PARTNERS TO CONTAIN IMPACT OF SWINEFLU Federal Health and Human Services Department declares a Public HealthEmergencyHARRISBURG - The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is working with federalofficials to contain the impact of an outbreak of swine flu in Mexico thatresulted in the declaration of a national public health emergency in theUnited States.The Department of Health is working to educate the public and health careproviders of recommended steps to prepare for potential cases of swineinfluenza in Pennsylvania."At this point we do not have any confirmed cases of swine influenza inPennsylvania, but we remain in constant communication with health officialsat all levels," said Health Secretary Everette James. "We are committed tokeeping our health care providers, local health agencies, and the publicinformed as this situation develops.""The federal public health emergency declaration is simply a tool that allowsfor preparation and mobilization of resources to plan for and respond to thisvirus outbreak if we begin to see cases in Pennsylvania," said PennsylvaniaEmergency Management Agency Director Robert French. "We are coordinating ouractivities closely with our federal partners and all the public health andemergency agencies across the state," said French. The Department of Health has notified health care providers acrossPennsylvania to be watchful for patients with influenza-like illness who mayhave been exposed to the new swine flu strain and to immediately inform thelocal health department of any suspected cases. The department will assistall health care providers in evaluating the patients, recommending controlmeasures, and assisting in specimen collection and testing when indicated. This notification follows confirmation of a new strain of swine influenzaA/H1N1 virus in Mexico and five locations in the U.S., including New York andOhio. To date, all U.S. cases were "mild" with only one person requiringbrief hospitalization. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, swineinfluenza A/H1N1 is a new strain of influenza that has not previously beendetected in swine or humans. The virus has also been confirmed in Canada andMexico. It is still safe to eat pork and pork products.The Department of Health provided information to all of the state's healthcare providers and hospitals late Friday regarding the swine flu, includinghow to quickly report possible cases and how to submit samples for testing.Anyone who has traveled to or from the affected areas and has a respiratoryillness should contact their health care provider or local health departmentbefore seeking health care. Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenzaviruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. Before the currentoutbreak, people rarely got swine flu, and usually only if they were in veryclose proximity to infected pigs. However, during the current outbreak, thevirus is able to spread from person-to-person. Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to those of regular or seasonalflu and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some withswine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting anddiarrhea. Although winter is over, there is still a low level of seasonalinfluenza occurring in the state. There is no vaccine available at this time, but the swine flu can be treatedwith certain antiviral drugs. Persons with swine flu are contagious for up toseven days or longer after the onset of illness, so it is important to takethe following steps to prevent spreading the virus to others:· Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others;· Cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow or a tissue and properlydispose of used tissues;· Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm wateror use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth;· Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water andgetting plenty of rest and exercise; and· Seek care if you have influenza-like illness.The CDC is asking that those individuals who have a recent history of traveland experience mild, flu-like symptoms to stay home. However, if you feelyour symptoms worsen or become severe, call or visit your health careprovider.For more information on Swine Influenza A/H1N1, contact the Department ofHealth at 1-877-PA-HEALTH or visit www.health.state.pa.us.