Swine flu becomes concern in Kansas

On Saturday, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment confirmed two cases of swine flu in Kansas involving two adults residing in the same household in Dickinson County. Neither of the patients was hospitalized -- one is still ill and being treated, and one is recovering, according to KDHE.

KDHE received reports of an unusual flu-like illness on Friday and on Saturday identified respiratory specimens collected from both patients as positive for the swine flu virus.

Bourbon County Public Health Nurse Alice Maffett said the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department is working with KDHE to notify area schools and physicians' offices about ways to prepare for and treat swine flu, which is caused by type-A influenza viruses. The swine flu is common in pigs but only rarely diagnosed in humans. There are currently no reported swine flu cases in Southeast Kansas, Maffett said.

Maffett said that while there are currently no vaccines available to protect against swine flu, there are several daily tasks that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses, and precautions people can take that can greatly reduce the chance of contracting a virus.

These everyday precautions include:

* Washing hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs. Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth.

* Stay home when sick to avoid spreading illness to co-workers and friends.

* Coughing or sneezing into the elbow or a tissue and properly disposing of used tissues.

* Staying healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise.

The new swine flu virus is resistant to certain anti-viral medications but remains sensitive to others, which must be recommended by a physician and used within 1-2 days of a person being diagnosed with swine flu or other virus to be effective, Maffett said. People who are infected with the swine flu virus can be contagious for up to seven days, and children can potentially be contagious for longer periods.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it is possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person. Symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include: fever greater than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting. Cases of swine flu can vary from mild to severe. More than 100 deaths have been reported from recent swine flu cases in Mexico.

Any person who experiences any of the above symptoms should contact his or her physician, who will determine whether testing or treatment is needed, Maffett said.

One of the patients in Kansas who had contracted swine flu had recently traveled to Mexico, flying in and out of Wichita. Both adults who were diagnosed with the virus work in Saline County and became ill with the same unique strain of swine flu that has been identified in Mexico, California, Texas, New York, and Ohio, according to KDHE.

"It's not yet known whether this will become the next flu pandemic," KDHE Division of Health Director and State Health Officer Jason Eberhart said. "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 CDC. People 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.

In accordance with the Kansas Response Plan, KDHE is also monitoring and instituting recommendations from CDC for any additional influenza disease surveillance activities, reviewing plans to further enhance those activities, and advising health care providers to use rapid detection tests for people who have symptoms consistent with swine flu, especially if they have recently been in Mexico, and taking other steps under the plan, a KDHE statement said.

Since 2005, 12 cases of human infection with swine flu had been reported to CDC. 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 swine influenza virus cannot be spread by food, including pork or pork products, according to CDC.

As of press time, 40 swine flu cases have been confirmed in the United States, according to the Associated Press.

For more information and updates, visit the KDHE Web site at www.kdheks.gov.