Kentucky Asks Health Care Providers To Be Alert For Possible Swine Flu Cases

Main Category: Swine Flu
Also Included In: Flu / Cold / SARS;  Public Health;  Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 29 Apr 2009 - 6:00 PDT

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The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) is asking health care providers and public health officials to be on the alert for potential cases of swine flu in Kentucky.

"We are closely monitoring developments involving swine flu cases in the United States, Mexico and abroad," said Public Health Commissioner William Hacker, M.D. "We continue to provide information to health care providers and other stakeholders about this evolving situation, and are preparing for a wider response should that become necessary."

While no cases have yet been identified in Kentucky, DPH is asking that physicians, hospitals, public health workers and other health care providers submit samples from any patient testing positive for influenza A or that a health care provider strongly suspects might be infected with swine flu to the State Public Health Laboratory for further testing. The State Public Health Laboratory can determine if the illness is caused by human influenza. Samples that require further evaluation will then be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has the capability to determine whether a patient is infected with the new strain of swine flu.

Over the weekend, the federal government declared a state of public health emergency to allow federal, state and local governments to prepare for the need for additional response efforts. As part of that declaration, states may request 25 percent of allotted supplies and countermeasures for pandemic influenza, such as antiviral drugs and masks, held by the Strategic National Stockpile. Kentucky has asked for these supplies to be delivered to the state as a precautionary measure, and has been informed they should arrive within approximately one week.

"Kentucky's public health officials and medical community have been preparing for widespread cases of a new strain of influenza, often referred to as pandemic flu, for several years," said Gov. Steve Beshear. "That preparation is allowing us to quickly coordinate the appropriate response to protect Kentuckians."

DPH also asks that Kentuckians who may have traveled recently to Mexico or affected areas, or who are planning such travel, be alert for the symptoms of swine flu in the following ways:

- Monitor yourself and travel companions for symptoms of fever, chills, headache, sore throat, cough, body aches, and vomiting or diarrhea.
- If symptoms of influenza-like illness develop within seven days of travel return, seek evaluation by a health care provider as soon as possible.
- Be sure to tell your health care provider about your recent travel and suggest testing for influenza.
- Stay home from work, school and other public places until you are feeling well.

As always, DPH reminds individuals to take common sense precautions to prevent illness, including: avoiding close contact with those who are ill; staying home when sick; covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; avoiding touching the eyes, nose or mouth; and frequent hand washing.

Currently, there are approximately 40 confirmed cases of swine flu in the U.S., a number that is expected to grow. The World Health Organization and CDC have reported numerous human cases of a severe respiratory illness in at least three different regions of Mexico. The number of cases has risen steadily since the beginning of April 2009. Laboratory testing of patient specimens has confirmed infections with swine influenza ("swine flu") A/H1N1 virus. This is a newly emerging, animal-origin virus that is now being spread from an infected person to another person.

Source
Kentucky Department for Public Health

Further information on Swine Flu

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