County health officials continue to run tests for swine flu
No confirmed cases in area at this point
By Derek Simmonsen
dsimmonsen@patuxent.com
Posted 5/04/09
Howard County health officials Monday continued to send samples from people suspected of having swine flu to a state medical lab, but so far have not encountered any confirmed cases.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Prince George's County, Montpelier Elementary School in Laurel was ordered closed for a minimum of 14 days, beginning Monday, after a student there was identified as that county's first "probable" case of the virus.
In addition, Montgomery County Public School officials closed Rockville High School until further notice because of a probable swine flu case involving a student. Deputy Secretary for Public Health Frances Phillips said that student represented the ninth probable case of swine flu in the state, but there are no confirmed cases yet.
As of Monday, doctors in Howard County have come across 28 possible cases of swine flu, but lab tests have been negative in 20 of those cases, said Dr. Peter Beilenson, the county’s chief health officer. Another eight tests are pending and he expected more suspicious samples to be sent to the State Public Health Laboratories at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in the coming days.
With cases in neighboring counties, Beilenson said it is likely someone in Howard County will contract the flu.
It takes about six to eight hours to complete the tests, he said. If a test is positive, the patient is assumed to have a “probable case” of swine flu until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can offer final confirmation, he said.
However, even if swine flu is confirmed in the county, it does not mean people need to panic, Beilenson said. People who are sick should remain at home to recover, but schools and businesses do not need to shut down, he said.
“In this case, we’re treating it the same as regular flu-season flu,” he said. “If it becomes a much more serious version of it, we’ll rethink it.”
The county health department has been holding daily meetings to discuss preparations. On May 1, Beilenson held a briefing for a group of county officials, including representatives from the school system, police and the fire departments, Howard County General Hospital, and Howard Community College.
The bulk of the briefing focused on efforts to disseminate accurate and consistent information to the public, Beilenson said.
"The bottom line message is this seems to be, for a week now, a mild to moderate version of seasonal flu, but off-season," he said, adding that he sees no immediate reason for residents to cancel gatherings, close schools or wear masks.
The county has a stockpile of flu vaccines and can activate its drive-thru flu clinic, if needed, Beilenson said. Most healthy adults who contract the flu won’t even need anti-viral medication, as it tends to be used only in severe cases, typically involving very young or elderly people or those with chronic health conditions.
Once a handful of cases in the county are confirmed, the health department will no longer test for the disease, but will instead assume it is here and treat patients for it, he said.
Beilenson said residents do not need to start wearing surgical masks, and he urged them not to stockpile or begin unnecessarily taking anti-viral medications. Health officials are asking doctors and hospitals to be on the lookout for patients who display swine flu symptoms, he said, and the health department has test kits available to confirm it.
The basic symptoms are a fever of 100 degrees or more, sore throat, coughing, body aches and fatigue, along with recent travel to places where swine flu has been confirmed, Beilenson said.
The county has an updated information line at 410-313-6503 with the latest developments and also is posting information on its Web site. The department is updating the information on its Web site frequently, including adding information aimed at addressing questions the department has received from child care providers and adult day care providers, Beilenson said.
Swine flu Q&A
What is swine flu?
Swine flu, or swine influenza, is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type of flu virus (type A influenza) that regularly causes outbreaks of flu in pigs.
How does swine flu spread to people?
The swine flu virus can be transmitted from pigs to people as well as from people to pigs. Human infection with swine flu is most likely to happen when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs.
Does swine flu spread between people?
Yes, it is thought to spread in the same way that seasonal flu spreads in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Are people infected with swine flu in this country right now?
Yes. In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection have been reported in California, Texas, Kansas, New York City and Ohio
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular flu. They include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
Is there a vaccine for swine flu?
There is no vaccine that protects humans completely.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause flu viruses. They include:
• Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough and immediately throw the tissue away.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Do this every time after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others.
What should I do if I get sick?
Contact your doctor, who will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
For children, those signs include:
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs include:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?
No. Swine flu viruses are not transmitted by food.
Where can I go for more information?
The Howard County Health Department will update its Web site regularly about swine flu.
For more information, go to the following Web sites:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
The World Health Organization.
Source: Howard County Health Department
This story has been updated.
Staff writer Jennifer Broadwater contributed to this report.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Prince George's County, Montpelier Elementary School in Laurel was ordered closed for a minimum of 14 days, beginning Monday, after a student there was identified as that county's first "probable" case of the virus.
In addition, Montgomery County Public School officials closed Rockville High School until further notice because of a probable swine flu case involving a student. Deputy Secretary for Public Health Frances Phillips said that student represented the ninth probable case of swine flu in the state, but there are no confirmed cases yet.
As of Monday, doctors in Howard County have come across 28 possible cases of swine flu, but lab tests have been negative in 20 of those cases, said Dr. Peter Beilenson, the county’s chief health officer. Another eight tests are pending and he expected more suspicious samples to be sent to the State Public Health Laboratories at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in the coming days.
With cases in neighboring counties, Beilenson said it is likely someone in Howard County will contract the flu.
It takes about six to eight hours to complete the tests, he said. If a test is positive, the patient is assumed to have a “probable case” of swine flu until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can offer final confirmation, he said.
However, even if swine flu is confirmed in the county, it does not mean people need to panic, Beilenson said. People who are sick should remain at home to recover, but schools and businesses do not need to shut down, he said.
“In this case, we’re treating it the same as regular flu-season flu,” he said. “If it becomes a much more serious version of it, we’ll rethink it.”
The county health department has been holding daily meetings to discuss preparations. On May 1, Beilenson held a briefing for a group of county officials, including representatives from the school system, police and the fire departments, Howard County General Hospital, and Howard Community College.
The bulk of the briefing focused on efforts to disseminate accurate and consistent information to the public, Beilenson said.
"The bottom line message is this seems to be, for a week now, a mild to moderate version of seasonal flu, but off-season," he said, adding that he sees no immediate reason for residents to cancel gatherings, close schools or wear masks.
The county has a stockpile of flu vaccines and can activate its drive-thru flu clinic, if needed, Beilenson said. Most healthy adults who contract the flu won’t even need anti-viral medication, as it tends to be used only in severe cases, typically involving very young or elderly people or those with chronic health conditions.
Once a handful of cases in the county are confirmed, the health department will no longer test for the disease, but will instead assume it is here and treat patients for it, he said.
Beilenson said residents do not need to start wearing surgical masks, and he urged them not to stockpile or begin unnecessarily taking anti-viral medications. Health officials are asking doctors and hospitals to be on the lookout for patients who display swine flu symptoms, he said, and the health department has test kits available to confirm it.
The basic symptoms are a fever of 100 degrees or more, sore throat, coughing, body aches and fatigue, along with recent travel to places where swine flu has been confirmed, Beilenson said.
The county has an updated information line at 410-313-6503 with the latest developments and also is posting information on its Web site. The department is updating the information on its Web site frequently, including adding information aimed at addressing questions the department has received from child care providers and adult day care providers, Beilenson said.
Swine flu Q&A
What is swine flu?
Swine flu, or swine influenza, is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type of flu virus (type A influenza) that regularly causes outbreaks of flu in pigs.
How does swine flu spread to people?
The swine flu virus can be transmitted from pigs to people as well as from people to pigs. Human infection with swine flu is most likely to happen when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs.
Does swine flu spread between people?
Yes, it is thought to spread in the same way that seasonal flu spreads in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Are people infected with swine flu in this country right now?
Yes. In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection have been reported in California, Texas, Kansas, New York City and Ohio
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular flu. They include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
Is there a vaccine for swine flu?
There is no vaccine that protects humans completely.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause flu viruses. They include:
• Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough and immediately throw the tissue away.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Do this every time after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others.
What should I do if I get sick?
Contact your doctor, who will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
For children, those signs include:
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs include:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?
No. Swine flu viruses are not transmitted by food.
Where can I go for more information?
The Howard County Health Department will update its Web site regularly about swine flu.
For more information, go to the following Web sites:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
The World Health Organization.
Source: Howard County Health Department
This story has been updated.
Staff writer Jennifer Broadwater contributed to this report.
user comments (2)
user milton says...
Dr. Beilenson advises us not to stockpile flu vaccines, while his own department is in fact stockpiling flu vaccines. His stockpile is taking away vaccines from private healthcare providers who now have fewer vaccines to treat patients. Call me crazy, but I think that private providers already dispersed all over the county would be able to disseminate the vaccines much more efficiently than a “drive-thru flu clinic” operated by the local government.
Posted 11:54 AM, 04.30.09 | Permalink
user elastigirl says...
Agreed that most in the community would be better served by getting the vaccine from their own physicians. But the drive thru clinic is extremely efficient; we have used it for several years - and would be a much better alternative for those with no health insurance or family doctor.
Posted 9:29 PM, 05.01.09 | Permalink
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