Mississippi State Department Increases Flu Surveillance Activity Following National Reports Of Swine Flu

Main Category: Swine Flu
Also Included In: Flu / Cold / SARS;  Respiratory / Asthma;  Public Health
Article Date: 27 Apr 2009 - 9:00 PDT

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Today, in response to reports of human cases of swine flu in California and Texas, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is alerting its statewide flu surveillance system to increase its testing of patients with influenza-like illness.

MSDH's flu surveillance system consists of selected healthcare providers across the state who report possible flu cases to MSDH for confirmation by laboratory testing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently investigating eight human cases of a new type of swine influenza in Texas and California. At this time, there have been no cases identified in Mississippi. The symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to those of seasonal flu, causing fever, respiratory symptoms and body aches.

Mississippi's flu activity this season has been low with no confirmed cases reported by the surveillance system since March. MSDH will continue to monitor flu activity in the state and report any unusual findings to the healthcare community and to the public.

As is always the practice, the MSDH will alert physicians of the latest medical information (updates and notifications) through its Health Alert Network (HAN). All Mississippi licensed physicians should already be receiving these HAN messages however, physicians who wish to enroll - at this time - in the Health Alert Messaging System can email hanhelp@msdh.state.ms.us with their name, email address and phone number.

Source
Mississippi State Department

Further information on Swine Flu

• See a Map Of H1N1 Outbreaks
• See our Mexico Swine Flu Blog