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A rare strain of swine flu that has broken out in Mexico and the southwestern United States showed up in central Kansas last week, and local health officials are being put on high alert for any signs of the disease in Miami County.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced Saturday that two cases of swine flu have been confirmed involving two adults in the same household in Dickinson County. Neither of the patients was hospitalized. One is still ill and being treated, and one is recovering.
One of the patients recently had traveled to Mexico, flying in and out of Wichita. Both work in Saline County and became ill with the same unique H1N1 strain of swine flu that has been identified in Mexico, California and Texas, according to a KDHE news release.
“It’s not yet known whether this will become the next flu pandemic,” said Jason Eberhart-Phillips, state health officer and director of the KDHE’s Division of Health. “We are working closely with health agencies at all levels and are continuing to monitor these cases. We are taking this situation very seriously.”
KDHE and the Dickinson County Health Department are investigating the sources of exposure, and efforts are being coordinated with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Individuals who have been in contact with the patients are being interviewed and tested. Local health departments and hospitals in Kansas are being continuously updated and provided with information about the swine flu virus, the release said.
With both Dickinson and Saline counties less than 200 miles from Miami County, local health officials aren’t taking any chances.
Kathy Auten, infection control nurse at Miami County Medical Center, said Monday that all staff members have been given information about what to look for in patients to spot the disease, but currently they are just in a preparation stage. Auten added that if a case were to be diagnosed in Miami County, the level of security would rise and continue to go up with each diagnosis. Restrictions eventually could be placed on who is allowed to enter the hospital in the event of a serious situation, she said.
According to KDHE, the symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever of greater than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion and, in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting.
Individuals who experience the above symptoms should contact their physician, who will determine whether testing or treatment is needed. There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. As with any influenza virus, individuals are encouraged to take the following steps to reduce the spread of the virus:
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to co-workers and friends.
Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.
Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise.
Before the recent outbreak 12 cases of human infection with swine influenza had been reported to CDC since 2005. Swine flu infections in humans are rare but are related to close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig production barns and livestock exhibits at fairs. Neither of the current patients in Kansas reported having contact with pigs, the KDHE said.
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