Re: Virginia woman with swine-flu virus dies
http://www2.insidenova.com/isn/news...flu_death_prompts_call_for_precautions/40001/
Swine flu death prompts call for precautions
By Aileen Streng
Published: July 23, 2009
Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.
And, stay home if you are sick.
That?s the advice of Prince William Health District Director Dr. Alison Ansher in light of the recent local death related to the swine flu.
?The swine flu is now widespread and it is likely that there will be more deaths in the United States,? Ansher said.
However, to put it into perspective, Ansher said, the regular seasonal flu kills about 36,000 people across the country each year.
Additionally, Virginia?s Health Commissioner Karen Remley said this week that of those 36,000, about 1,000 in the state die each year from influenza and pneumonia.
State health officials announced Wednesday that a Prince William area woman between the ages of 25-50, who had pre-existing health problems, is the third person in the state to die of a swine-flu related illness.
The first swine flu death in the state occurred last month in Chesapeake. An Arlington man was the second swine flu death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 263 swine flu-related deaths nationwide, caused by the latest H1N1 flu strain.
Ansher said that since health officials know the virus is widespread, they are no longer keeping track of the number of cases.
?At this point, it is not helpful to test,? she said.
Unlike the seasonal flu that hits those 65 or older the hardest, many of the cases of the swine flu have been appearing in children. Those with pre-existing health problems are always more susceptible to complications from any flu virus.
At the end of the school year in June, Prince William County Schools reported a total of 11 cases of swine flu at six schools.
The federal government is working with five different manufacturers to develop a vaccine for the swine flu and human testing has begun, Ansher said.
When the vaccine will be available is not yet know. ?Best case scenario is October but it is more likely that it will be later in the year,? Ansher said.
While the seasonal flu vaccine will be available sooner, it will not provide protection against the swine flu. Ansher said that health officials are still working to determine if both vaccines can be given at the same time.
When the swine flu vaccine is available, it is likely that it will be made available first to school-aged children, pregnant women and those with pre-existing health conditions. Those groups are most susceptible to the virus. Health-care providers also would be among the first to receive the vaccine first sine they work with sick patients.
?Everyone should take precautions and be vigilant,? Ansher said.
The symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, head and body aches, chills and fatigue are all signs the flu virus has infected the body.
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Anyone experiencing these symptoms is asked to call their health care provider or local health department to discuss possible treatment.
Health officials ask that anyone with flu symptoms to stay home from work or school, cover their mouths when they cough and immediately dispose of any tissues used, wash their hands often and limit the spread of germs by not touching their eyes, mouth or nose.
Since the Southern Hemisphere is in the midst of its traditional flu season, health officials are monitoring cases of swine flu there. ?This gives us an idea of what to expect for our flu season. We are looking for any changes in severity,? Ansher said.
For more information on the swine flu, visit the state health department Web site or the CDC Web site at
www.cdc.gov.
Staff writer Aileen Streng can be reached at 703-878-8010.
