Reports of swine flu saturate the media. I heard a doctor say a couple nights ago that this flu was not as virulent as the type we see each winter. One news report said over 30,000 people die each year from flu and, in this country, many of us (most?) are vaccinated. Yet there have been deaths from the swine flu that seems to have originated in Mexico.
 
County Health authorities sent information home through the schools Monday as a number of cases have been reported in the Metroplex.
 
Garland Health officials can similarly be expected to be up-to-the-minute with any such outbreak in Garland. Day Care Center have received the following Public Health Order (Apr 27):
 

 
To: Garland Daycares
Subject: Swine Flu Preparedness/Surveillance
 
As a result of the recent probably sine flu cases reported locally by the Dallas County Health Department, the Garland Health Department is issuing a Health Order to all daycares within Garland pertaining to surveillance and prevention of additional flu cases. Therefore, pursuant to Section 22.47 of the City of Garland Code of Ordinances, this letter constitutes a Health Order. All daycares located in the City of Garland shall take the following measures:

1. Daycare directors or operators shall provide a copy of the attached Public Health Information Bulletin to the parents of all children attending daycares until May 11, 2009.
2. Daycare directors or operators shall isolate (to the greatest extent possible) children exhibiting flu-like symptoms, which include, but are not limited to, fever, fatigue, lack of appetite and coughing. Parents of children exhibiting these or other flu-like symptoms shall be contacted immediately to remove their child from daycare.
3. Administrators or workers exhibiting flu-like symptoms shall be sent home immediately.
4. Daycare directors or operators shall notify the Garland Health Department on the same day that a child or employee is sent home with flu-like symptoms.

Thank you for assisting the Garland Health Department in enacting surveillance/preventative measures. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your Environmental Health Specialist at 972-205-3460.
 

 
The following FAQ was prepared with information from the Centers for on Disease Control and Prevention:
 

 

GARLAND HEALTH DEPARTMENT
PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION BULLETIN

SWINE INFLUENZA (SWINE FLU)

What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.
 
Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.?
In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been reported internationally as well. An updated case count of confirmed swine flu infections in the United States is kept at: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm.
 
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.
 
Is this swine flu contagious?
CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
 
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
 
How does swine flu spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
 
How can someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
 
What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. 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. Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
 
Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
 
How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
 
What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth, or nose before washing their hands.
 
How long can viruses live outside the body?
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent handwashing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.
 
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illness like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
 
What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from getting germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. We recommend that when you wash your hands – with soap and warm water- that your wash for 15-20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them at most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands together until the gel is dry. The gel doesn’t need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.
 
What should I do if I get sick?
If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
 
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading illness to others.
 
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care:

• If children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Bluish skin color
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Not waking up or not interacting
  • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
  • Fever with a rash
     
• In adults emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
 
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Provided by:
Garland Health Department
972-205-3460