The swine flu that originated in Mexico in April 2009 trickled into the Seattle area as of April 29, 2009.
Who has the swine flu in the Seattle area?
There are several cases of swine flu identified in Washington State in five counties including King County, Snohomish County, Skagit County, Pierce County and Spokane County.
What Schools are Closed?
As of Tuesday, May 5 schools reopened.What is swine flu?
The swine flu is a virus causing respiratory disease in pigs (strain H1N1).
Can humans catch swine flu?
It can happen. Pigs have a swine flu season just like humans have their own flu season. Humans that are exposed to pigs with the swine flu can pick up the virus. There is usually only one case of human swine flu every one to two years reported in the United States per the Center for Disease Control. But in the past 5 years there have been 12 cases reported. As of April 2009 the most cases reported at one time in the United States happened in April 2009.
What are the symptoms?
The swine flu feels similar to the regular flu. Symptoms may include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. You might also have a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Be sure to assess each household member every morning for symptoms of influenza. Any family member with these symptoms should stay home for at least seven days according to health officials.
Can humans catch the swine flu from eating pork?
No.
Is there a vaccine for swine flu?
Vaccines are available for pigs to prevent the swine flu. There is no vaccines to protect humans from swine flu as of this time. However, there are some antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the United States. Two antiviral drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza, seem effective against the swine flu. Washington state expects to receive 230,000 five-day courses of Tamiflu from the federal stockpile. The drugs will be stockpiled for emergency only and will not be mass distributed. King County has enough Tamiflu available to treat 190,000 people infected or exposed to the swine flu.
What can I do to prevent catching the swine flu?
Just like the regular flu it is wise to wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth which spreads germs. Use common sense and avoid being around people who are sick. And if you are sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others. Visit your health care provider if you think you have flu symptoms.
What if I have more questions?
You may call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with bilingual staff. For more information on the swine flu visit the Washington State Department of Health. Or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for their informative site about the swine flu.