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Source: http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=10658858
Reporter Edward Lawrence and Photojournalist Dave Suarez
H1N1 Virus Spreading in Las Vegas Valley
Updated: Jul 07, 2009 5:26 PM EST
LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- The cases of the H1N1 virus or swine flu continues to climb in the Las Vegas Valley. The Southern Nevada Health District has updated the number of cases to 129 but that number is only an estimation and the virus could be more widespread.
Dr. Lawrence Sands, the district's chief medical officer uses a mathematical formula to determine the number of cases in the county. He says it is alarming that more than half of the tests being done are coming back positive for swine flu.
"That tells us this virus is pretty widespread in the community and pretty well established," Dr. Sands said.
The virus has claimed the lives of two local people and one tourist. There are currently three people in the hospital suffering from the virus, two of them are in serious condition. There are also another seven hospitalized people who are suspected of having the swine flu but it hasn't been confirmed with testing.
The health district is using their pediatric surveillance system to identify cases. Dr. Sands has asked four pediatricians to test the first 10 patients with flu like symptoms for swine flu. Therefore, in the past month the confirmed cases have all been children. Also people who are admitted to the hospital are tested for the virus.
Dr. Ron Shockley who is in charge of infectious diseases at Sunrise Hospital has treated several people who tested positive for H1N1.
"The people who get sick with the seasonal flu are the ones who are in those high risk factors. The very young, pregnant, older people with weaker immune systems," he said.
Two of the three deaths linked to swine flu in Las Vegas were people with other serious medical conditions that weakened their immune systems.
Health officials say a vaccine will not be ready in time for the start of flu shot season.
Reporter Edward Lawrence and Photojournalist Dave Suarez
H1N1 Virus Spreading in Las Vegas Valley
Updated: Jul 07, 2009 5:26 PM EST
LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- The cases of the H1N1 virus or swine flu continues to climb in the Las Vegas Valley. The Southern Nevada Health District has updated the number of cases to 129 but that number is only an estimation and the virus could be more widespread.
Dr. Lawrence Sands, the district's chief medical officer uses a mathematical formula to determine the number of cases in the county. He says it is alarming that more than half of the tests being done are coming back positive for swine flu.
"That tells us this virus is pretty widespread in the community and pretty well established," Dr. Sands said.
The virus has claimed the lives of two local people and one tourist. There are currently three people in the hospital suffering from the virus, two of them are in serious condition. There are also another seven hospitalized people who are suspected of having the swine flu but it hasn't been confirmed with testing.
The health district is using their pediatric surveillance system to identify cases. Dr. Sands has asked four pediatricians to test the first 10 patients with flu like symptoms for swine flu. Therefore, in the past month the confirmed cases have all been children. Also people who are admitted to the hospital are tested for the virus.
Dr. Ron Shockley who is in charge of infectious diseases at Sunrise Hospital has treated several people who tested positive for H1N1.
"The people who get sick with the seasonal flu are the ones who are in those high risk factors. The very young, pregnant, older people with weaker immune systems," he said.
Two of the three deaths linked to swine flu in Las Vegas were people with other serious medical conditions that weakened their immune systems.
Health officials say a vaccine will not be ready in time for the start of flu shot season.