WISCONSIN: 18 flu cases linked to State/County Fairs

[JimO]

2 flu cases linked to State Fair
By Jesse Garza of the Journal Sentinel
Aug. 16, 2012 6:28 p.m.

Two people connected to the Wisconsin State Fair, a worker and a swine exhibitor, were infected with the variant H3N2v influenza virus, state health officials said Thursday.

The swine exhibitor is an adolescent who lives in western Wisconsin. The other infected individual, identified as an adult from southeastern Wisconsin, did not report any direct contact with swine, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

According to the release, a variant is an influenza virus that normally circulates in swine that is detected in a human.

More than 150 cases of human infections by H3N2v influenza in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Hawaii, and Michigan have been reported this summer by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all of which occurred in persons exposed to, or in proximity to pigs, the health services department said.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, eye irritation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the release.

People with animals are urged to call a veterinarian if they suspect the animals might be sick, and should wash their hands with soap and running water after exposure to pigs.

Visit the CDC website for more information.

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: WISCONSIN: 2 flu cases linked to State Fair

Re: WISCONSIN: 2 flu cases linked to State Fair

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / August 16, 2012

CONTACT: Stephanie Smiley, (608) 260-5196

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES REPORTS FIRST HUMAN CASES OF H3N2v INFLUENZA



MADISON?State and local health officials report the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene confirmed two cases of the variant H3N2 (H3N2v) influenza virus in Wisconsin.

Test results indicate one of the infections occurred in an adult from southeastern Wisconsin who worked at the Wisconsin State Fair. The individual did not report direct contact with swine.

A second H3N2v infection has been detected in an adolescent who was a swine exhibitor at the Wisconsin State Fair and lives in western Wisconsin.

The individuals are recovering from their illness and have not been hospitalized.

Since July 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported more than 150 cases of human infections with H3N2v influenza in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Hawaii, and Michigan. These human infections have all occurred in persons exposed to, or in proximity to, pigs.

When an influenza virus that normally circulates in swine is detected in a person, it is called a variant influenza virus.

Influenza viruses such as H3N2 and its variants are not unusual in swine and can be directly transmitted from swine to people and from people to swine. When humans are in close proximity to live infected swine, such as in barns and livestock exhibits at fairs, movement of these viruses can occur back and forth between humans and animals. Influenza has not been shown to be transmitted by eating properly handled and prepared pork or other products derived from pigs.

Although no human-to-human transmission of H3N2v has been documented this year, it is possible that such spread may be shown in the future.

?We encourage people to enjoy all their local fairs have to offer this summer, but to take precautions to reduce the chances of getting H3N2v influenza,? said Dr. Henry Anderson, State Health Officer.

?As with all influenza viruses, certain individuals can become very ill. Older adults, pregnant women, young children, and people with weakened immune systems should be extra careful and avoid exposure to swine barns this season.?

Case investigations have indicated that the illnesses resulting from H3N2v infection have been similar to seasonal influenza.

Symptoms include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people also have reported runny nose, sore throat, eye irritation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Most cases have resolved on their own and have not required treatment.

Contact your health care provider if you are experiencing flu symptoms and inform the doctor if you have had contact with swine.

The Wisconsin Division of Public Health is working closely with the State Laboratory of Hygiene and local health departments to detect additional cases.

To prevent the spread of H3N2v, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is working with fair veterinarians and swine exhibitors.

If you have animals, particularly swine, watch them for signs of illness, and call a veterinarian if you suspect they might be sick.

There is no reason to avoid fairs entirely, but to reduce the spread of influenza viruses between pigs and people, CDC recommends these precautions:

• Wash your hands often with soap and running water before and after exposure to pigs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Never eat, drink or put things in your mouth in pig areas, and don?t take food or drink into pig areas.
• Never take toys, pacifiers, spill-proof cups, baby bottles, strollers or similar items into pig areas.
• Avoid close contact with pigs that look or act ill.
• Children younger than 5 years, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic medical conditions (like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems, and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions) are at high risk from serious complications if they get influenza. These people should consider avoiding exposure to pigs and swine barns this fair season, especially if sick pigs have been identified.

For more information about the H3N2v influenza virus and current investigation, visit CDC?s website: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/influenza-variant-viruses-h3n2v.htm

# # #

Last Revised: August 16, 2012
​

- ------

 

[Shiloh]

Re: WISCONSIN: 14 flu cases linked to State/County Fairs

Re: WISCONSIN: 14 flu cases linked to State/County Fairs

Source: http://www.wuwm.com/news/wuwm_news.php?articleid=11085

State Confirms 14 Cases of New Swine Flu Strain
Ann-Elise Henzl
WUWM NEWS | Aug 30, 2012

Just two weeks ago, the state Department of Health Services reported Wisconsin?s first human case of a new strain of swine flu. Now, 14 people have been documented with the H3N2 influenza virus infection.

All of the cases were in people who were near pigs at the Wisconsin State Fair, or at county fairs in Kenosha, Dodge and Manitowoc counties. Most of the cases are in children.

The DHS says everyone who was sickened is recovering. One child had to be hospitalized briefly...

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: WISCONSIN: 14 flu cases linked to State/County Fairs

Re: WISCONSIN: 14 flu cases linked to State/County Fairs

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


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / August 30, 2012 / Print-friendly version (PDF) / CONTACT: Stephanie Smiley, (608) 266-5862

STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT INCREASE IN INFLUENZA CASES LINKED TO STATE, COUNTY FAIR ATTENDANCE



MADISON?Confirmed Wisconsin cases of the variant H3N2 influenza virus infection, H3N2v, has risen to 14, according to state health officials. All cases occurred in individuals who were exposed to or in proximity to pigs at either the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis, or county fairs in Kenosha, Dodge and Manitowoc counties. The majority of cases are children, with an average age of 10-years-old. All affected individuals recovered or are currently recovering from their illnesses. One child was hospitalized briefly.

Due to the strong correlation between these cases and exposure to swine exhibits, health officials urge caution for people attending county fairs.

?While this strain of influenza appears to cause an illness similar to seasonal strains, keep in mind that any influenza can cause very severe illness in certain people,? said Dr. Henry Anderson, State Health Officer.

?Because H3N2v infections have been associated with four Wisconsin fairs already, we are recommending that older adults, pregnant women, young children, and people with weakened immune systems or chronic medical conditions should avoid entering swine barns at fairs this season.?

Anderson noted that the fair season is ongoing in Wisconsin until mid-September.

Symptoms of H3N2v include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people also have reported runny nose, sore throat, eye irritation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Most cases have resolved without treatment. Contact your health care provider if you are experiencing flu symptoms and let them know if you have had direct contact with or been in close proximity to swine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 276 cases of human infections with H3N2v influenza since July, with 10 states now affected. While nearly all of the human infections occurred in individuals directly or indirectly exposed to pigs, mostly in agricultural fair settings, the CDC is also reporting three instances of likely human-to-human spread of the virus during the current outbreak. However, there is currently no evidence of sustained person-to-person transmission within communities.

Also, influenza has not been shown to be transmitted by eating properly handled and prepared pork or other products derived from pigs.

When an influenza virus that normally circulates in swine is detected in a person, it is called a variant influenza virus. Influenza viruses such as H3N2 and its variants are not unusual in swine and can be directly transmitted from swine to people and from people to swine. When humans are in close proximity to live infected swine, such as in barns and livestock exhibits at fairs, movement of these viruses can occur back and forth between humans and animals. Even pigs that appear healthy can harbor and transmit the influenza virus.

The Wisconsin Division of Public Health and the CDC recommend these precautions to avoid infection:

• Wash your hands often with soap and running water before and after exposure to pigs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Never eat, drink or put things in your mouth in areas where there are pigs, and don?t take food or drink into these areas.
• Never take toys, pacifiers, spill-proof cups, baby bottles, strollers or similar items into areas where there are pigs.
• Avoid close contact with pigs that look or act ill.
• Children younger than 5 years, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic medical conditions (like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems, and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions) are at high risk from serious complications if they get influenza. These people should consider avoiding exposure to pigs and swine barns this fair season, especially if sick pigs have been identified.

For more information on the H3N2v influenza virus: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/communicable/Influenza/H3N2v.htm.

For more information about the H3N2v influenza virus and current investigation: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/influenza-variant-viruses-h3n2v.htm.



-
------

 

[JimO]

Re: WISCONSIN: 14 flu cases linked to State/County Fairs

Re: WISCONSIN: 14 flu cases linked to State/County Fairs

http://wtaq.com/news/articles/2012/...confirms-4-h3n2-cases-from-county-fair-swine/

Manitowoc Health Dept. confirms 4 H3N2 cases from county fair swine
Thursday, August 30, 2012 3:50 p.m. CDT

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - The Manitowoc County Health Department has confirmed four cases of the H3N2 variant virus in children who likely picked it up at the county fair.

Three more kids are sick with influenza and tests are pending.

Public Health Nurse Manager Amy Wergin says all 7 kids visited the Manitowoc County Fair that ended on Sunday.

?Some of the kids have had fevers as high at 104 degrees, so they are quite ill,? Wergin said.

The fever and the respiratory issues are the biggest concerns for health officials, but overall the H3N2 virus symptoms are just like the flu.

Wergin says all the pigs at the county fair tested negative for having H3N2 variant virus, but the strain has only been spread from swine to humans.

The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed only 3 cases of human to human transmission.

All four of the kids who tested positive for the H3N2 virus visited the fair, but Wergin didn?t say if the kids visited the swine exhibit.