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Three cases of swine flu confirmed in Arizona
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention had identified three cases of the swine flu in Arizona as of April 30 - all from Maricopa County.
At least 40 other suspected cases in Maricopa County had been submitted to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention but had not been confirmed by Thursday.
However, no cases have been identified in Navajo County, according the county's top health official. Spokesman John Zimmerman said Wednesday that at this point it is not probable that it will show up in Navajo County.
He said that while the deaths attributed to this most recent outbreak of the flu are tragic, if people follow basic health guidelines, they probably will not become sick.
"If you're sick, stay home, wash your hands and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing and you should be in pretty good shape."
He said the county is performing surveillance as well as working with local hospitals and health clinics to stay informed of any changes in the situation and promised to send out updates as soon as any new information comes in.
"We are on top of this thing," Zimmerman said.
An April 27 press release from Navajo County Public Health Services Director Wade Kartchner, MD, indicates his department has been closely monitoring events surrounding the recent flu outbreak in Mexico and some U.S. states.
"The worrisome new virus - which combines genetic material from pigs, birds and humans in a way researchers have not seen before," wrote the Associated Press's Mark Stephenson on April 25.
The outbreak has so far resulted in more than 1,000 sickened in Mexico as well as 20 deaths in that country confirmed to have been caused by the previously unseen strain.
Jose Cardova, Mexico's health secretary, reported Wednesday that a total of 159 people that died of pneumonia may have had the mutant virus. By Tuesday night, a total of 2,498 Mexicans were being treated for respiratory problems believed to be related to swine flu.
But Cardova indicated that the number of deaths had slowed down considerably "compared to the period from Sunday to Monday, when 46 people died in a 24-hour period." Mexican authorities also reduced the confirmed death toll from 20 to seven.
The CDC reported 91 cases in the United States, with one confirmed death in Texas, a 23-month-old toddler, who came from Mexico for treatment.
Eleven states had confirmed cases by Wednesday, with the majority of cases concentrated in New York (51), California (14) and Texas (16).
The press release from Kartchner's office said the county's health department is working daily with the Arizona Department of Health Services as well as the CDC in preparing for the possibility of the new strain of flu reaching Navajo County.
"We are routinely sending updates to our health care partners and others. We are also enhancing our surveillance efforts to be able to detect human cases of swine flu should they occur here," Kartchner said.
He added, "Please remember, we can all work to stop the spread of disease; wash your hands thoroughly, dispose of used tissues, cover your cough, and stay home if you feel sick."
State officials also said they are doing all they can to protect Arizona residents from the swine flu. Gov. Jan Brewer announced Tuesday that she had met with "senior staff and cabinet officials to evaluate the State of Arizona's enhanced monitoring of potential cases of swine flu, as well as to review preparedness plans in the event that cases are confirmed in Arizona."
"I convened a meeting this afternoon of my top cabinet officials involved with monitoring and coordinating our preparedness and response plans for any potential outbreak of swine flu in Arizona," Brewer said.
She noted the State Lab and local clinicians have enhanced their surveillance to identify any Arizona cases quickly and have reviewed plans for appropriate response if cases are identified in the future.
Brewer also said she has also had ongoing communication with the CDC to inform the public of any changes or updates to health and/or travel advisories.
U.S. health officials announced an outbreak notice to travelers, urging caution and frequent handwashing, but stopped short of telling Americans to avoid Mexico.
WHO also advised no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. However, it noted that "it is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities."
WHO also stated that "there is also no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products."
For the latest information on the swine flu outbreak, visit the Arizona Department of Health Services Web site at www.azdhs.gov/phs/oids/epi/flu/swine/index.htm.
National information and guidelines about swine flu can be found at www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.
At least 40 other suspected cases in Maricopa County had been submitted to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention but had not been confirmed by Thursday.
However, no cases have been identified in Navajo County, according the county's top health official. Spokesman John Zimmerman said Wednesday that at this point it is not probable that it will show up in Navajo County.
He said that while the deaths attributed to this most recent outbreak of the flu are tragic, if people follow basic health guidelines, they probably will not become sick.
"If you're sick, stay home, wash your hands and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing and you should be in pretty good shape."
He said the county is performing surveillance as well as working with local hospitals and health clinics to stay informed of any changes in the situation and promised to send out updates as soon as any new information comes in.
"We are on top of this thing," Zimmerman said.
An April 27 press release from Navajo County Public Health Services Director Wade Kartchner, MD, indicates his department has been closely monitoring events surrounding the recent flu outbreak in Mexico and some U.S. states.
"The worrisome new virus - which combines genetic material from pigs, birds and humans in a way researchers have not seen before," wrote the Associated Press's Mark Stephenson on April 25.
The outbreak has so far resulted in more than 1,000 sickened in Mexico as well as 20 deaths in that country confirmed to have been caused by the previously unseen strain.
Jose Cardova, Mexico's health secretary, reported Wednesday that a total of 159 people that died of pneumonia may have had the mutant virus. By Tuesday night, a total of 2,498 Mexicans were being treated for respiratory problems believed to be related to swine flu.
But Cardova indicated that the number of deaths had slowed down considerably "compared to the period from Sunday to Monday, when 46 people died in a 24-hour period." Mexican authorities also reduced the confirmed death toll from 20 to seven.
The CDC reported 91 cases in the United States, with one confirmed death in Texas, a 23-month-old toddler, who came from Mexico for treatment.
Eleven states had confirmed cases by Wednesday, with the majority of cases concentrated in New York (51), California (14) and Texas (16).
The press release from Kartchner's office said the county's health department is working daily with the Arizona Department of Health Services as well as the CDC in preparing for the possibility of the new strain of flu reaching Navajo County.
"We are routinely sending updates to our health care partners and others. We are also enhancing our surveillance efforts to be able to detect human cases of swine flu should they occur here," Kartchner said.
He added, "Please remember, we can all work to stop the spread of disease; wash your hands thoroughly, dispose of used tissues, cover your cough, and stay home if you feel sick."
State officials also said they are doing all they can to protect Arizona residents from the swine flu. Gov. Jan Brewer announced Tuesday that she had met with "senior staff and cabinet officials to evaluate the State of Arizona's enhanced monitoring of potential cases of swine flu, as well as to review preparedness plans in the event that cases are confirmed in Arizona."
"I convened a meeting this afternoon of my top cabinet officials involved with monitoring and coordinating our preparedness and response plans for any potential outbreak of swine flu in Arizona," Brewer said.
She noted the State Lab and local clinicians have enhanced their surveillance to identify any Arizona cases quickly and have reviewed plans for appropriate response if cases are identified in the future.
Brewer also said she has also had ongoing communication with the CDC to inform the public of any changes or updates to health and/or travel advisories.
U.S. health officials announced an outbreak notice to travelers, urging caution and frequent handwashing, but stopped short of telling Americans to avoid Mexico.
WHO also advised no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. However, it noted that "it is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities."
WHO also stated that "there is also no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products."
For the latest information on the swine flu outbreak, visit the Arizona Department of Health Services Web site at www.azdhs.gov/phs/oids/epi/flu/swine/index.htm.
National information and guidelines about swine flu can be found at www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.
