Illinois Health Department Confirms 3 H3N2v Influenza Cases

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.enewspf.com/latest-news/h...enza-case.html

Illinois Health Department Confirms H3N2v Influenza Case
Thursday, 09 August 2012 10:26 Press Release Health and Fitness
Common flu precautions recommended

SPRINGFIELD--(ENEWSPF)--August 9, 2012. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) laboratory has confirmed one case of what is known as the H3N2v influenza virus, which has now been reported in four states this year ? Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. IDPH is working with local, state and federal health officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Coles County Health Department, to identify how a child, who attended the Coles County Fair, contracted the virus last week. This child has not been hospitalized. CDC is conducting additional laboratory testing...

[Giuseppe]

Re: Illinois Health Department Confirms H3N2v Influenza Case

[Source: Illinois Department of Public Health, full page: (LINK). Edited.]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9 , 2012
CONTACT: Melaney Arnold
Communications Manager
(217) 558-0500
www.idph.state.il.us

State Health Department Confirms H3N2v Influenza Case


Common flu precautions recommended




SPRINGFIELD ? The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) laboratory has confirmed one case of what is known as the H3N2v influenza virus, which has now been reported in four states this year ? Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

IDPH is working with local, state and federal health officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Coles County Health Department, to identify how a child, who attended the Coles County Fair, contracted the virus last week. This child has not been hospitalized. CDC is conducting additional laboratory testing.

H3N2v is a variant form of influenza A, which was first detected in 2011. The CDC is currently reporting more than a dozen cases in the U.S. this year, but CDC will update its numbers later today and they are expected rise dramatically.

Most infections have occurred following contact with swine, and cases of the virus being transmitted from person to person are rare. So far, the severity of illnesses associated with this virus in people has been similar to the severity of illnesses associated with seasonal flu virus infections.

?The H3N2v virus is relatively new, but the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Agriculture and our federal partners are monitoring this situation closely,? said IDPH Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. ?We want you to enjoy your time at the state or county fair, so one key thing to do to stay healthy is to wash your hands frequently, especially if you are around swine.?

The state health department and the state agriculture department have increased hand washing stations on the fair grounds and provided guidance and prevention recommendations to fair exhibitors, local health departments and health care providers. The department of agriculture looks at every animal at the state fair grounds and a veterinarian is on site.

Tips to avoid influenza include:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water before and after exposure to animals.
• Do not eat, drink or put anything in your mouth while visiting animal areas.
• Do not take food or drinks into animal areas.
• Avoid close contact with animals that look or act ill.
• Use caution when deciding to visit an animal area if you have an underlying health condition.

Influenza is contracted through droplets when an infected person or animal coughs or sneezes. Those droplets can either be inhaled or can be on a surface you touch with your hand, and then touch your mouth or nose.
Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache and fatigue. Illness can last a week or two. Certain people have a higher risk of serious infection from influenza including the very young, elderly, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems and those with asthma, diabetes and heart disease. If you have, or do come into contact with swine and are experiencing flu symptoms, contact your health care provider.

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[alert]

Re: Illinois Health Department Confirms H3N2v Influenza Case

http://www.ktvu.com/news/ap/health/illinois-sees-3rd-case-of-new-strain-of-swine-flu/nRD5j/

Illinois sees 3rd case of new strain of swine flu

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. ?
A 5-year-old girl has contracted a new strain of swine flu, becoming the third Illinois case of the illness.

The Logan County girl came into direct contact with hogs at the Logan County Fair and the Illinois State Fair. She developed flu symptoms on Monday.

Logan County health officials say the girl was not hospitalized and is recovering at home.

The Illinois Department of Health has confirmed two other cases of the new flu strain, also called H3N2v influenza. Those cases also involved children who attended agricultural fairs in central Illinois.

The health department and state agriculture department have added hand-washing stations on the state fairgrounds where the Illinois State Fair closes this weekend.

Federal health officials are reporting approximately 225 cases of swine flu in nine states.

Copyright The Associated Press

[Giuseppe]

Re: Illinois Health Department Confirms 3 H3N2v Influenza Cases

[Source: State of the Illinois, Department of Health, full page: (LINK). Edited.]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / August 17 , 2012

CONTACT:
Melaney Arnold, (217) 558-0500 / Sabrina L. Miller, (312) 814-8194 / www.idph.state.il.us



State Health Department Confirms Additional H3N2v Influenza Cases

Common flu precautions recommended


SPRINGFIELD ? The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) laboratory has confirmed a total of three cases of what is known as the H3N2v influenza virus.

IDPH is working with local, state and federal health officials to reduce the spread of this virus, but additional cases are possible, therefore it is important to take preventative steps.

The three confirmed cases all report having contact with swine at agricultural fairs in central Illinois.

All three cases are children, and none have required hospitalization.

H3N2v is a variant form of influenza A. The Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) is currently reporting approximately 225 cases in nine states is the U.S. this year.

Most infections have occurred following contact with swine, with no evidence the virus is being continuously passed from person to person. So far, the severity of illnesses associated with this virus in people has been similar to the severity of illnesses associated with seasonal flu virus infections.

?The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Agriculture are closely monitoring this new strain of influenza,? said IDPH Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck.

?By taking a few preventive steps, like washing your hands frequently and not eating around farm animals, you greatly decrease your risk of getting the flu.?

The state health department and the state agriculture department have increased hand washing stations on the state fair grounds in Springfield and Du Quoin, and provided guidance and prevention recommendations to fair exhibitors, local health departments, health care providers and fair-goers.

The department of agriculture looks at every animal that enters the state fair grounds and a veterinarian is on site.

Tips to avoid influenza include:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water before and after exposure to animals.
• Do not eat, drink or put anything in your mouth while visiting animal areas.
• Do not take food or drinks into animal areas.
• Avoid close contact with animals that look or act ill.
• Use caution when deciding to visit an animal area if you have an underlying health condition.

Influenza is contracted through droplets when an infected person or animal coughs or sneezes. Those droplets can either be inhaled or can be on a surface you touch with your hand, and then touch your mouth or nose.

Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache and fatigue. Illness can last a week or two. Certain people have a higher risk of serious infection from influenza including the very young, elderly, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems and those with asthma, diabetes and heart disease.

If you are among one of these groups, be cautious about being around animals. If you have, or do come into contact with swine and are experiencing flu symptoms, contact your health care provider.


This new strain of influenza has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and prepared pork.

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