April 27, 2009



Dear Parents/Guardian,

Health officials in Washington verified this weekend that 20 cases of swine flu have been diagnosed in the United States. So far, only 2 cases have been verified in the state of Texas. It has been noted that persons who have traveled to Mexico in the past month may have been exposed to the virus and on the return to the United States exposed others.

We must be aware of the symptoms and steps to take to help prevent the spread of swine flu.

The symptoms of the swine flu in people are generally the same as seasonal flu and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people may also experience a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year. Unfortunately, no vaccine is available at this time for the Swine Influenza. But good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses. There also are antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu. The CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) for the treatment of infection with swine flu influenza viruses.

There are everyday actions that people can take to stay healthy.
● Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the
tissue in the trash after you use it.
● Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or
sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
● Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
● Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
● Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or
sneezing of infected people.
● If you get sick, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school
and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Please read the attached information “Key Facts about Swine Influenza (Swine Flu)". If you have any questions, please call me at 936-549-7591, ext. 131.

Sincerely,

Connie Sherill LVN

Key Facts about Swine Influenza (Swine Flu)

Swine Flu
What is Swine Influenza?
Like humans, pigs get the flu. Four different type A swine flu strains circulate among pigs. Most recent swine flu viruses have belonged to the H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes. Pigs typically get sick but usually do not die from swine flu.

The new swine flu virus infecting humans is very unusual. It has somehow acquired genes from swine, bird, and human flu bugs. And it has also gotten genes from Eurasian swine flu viruses that are not supposed to be in North America.

Swine Flu in Humans
Can humans catch swine flu?
Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry).
The new swine flu virus is different. It is infecting humans, and that has world health officials keeping a close eye on it.

What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, chills, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. There is no easy way to distinguish swine flu from other types of flu or other germs. It takes a lab test to confirm.

Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160 F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

You can only catch swine flu from an infected pig—or, if it’s the new swine flu virus, from an infected person.

How does swine flu spread?
Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can occur. This is thought to occur in the same way seasonal flu occurs 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.

How can human infections with influenza be diagnosed?
It takes laboratory testing to confirm swine flu.

I got a flu shot. Am I protected against swine flu?
No. There is currently no swine flu vaccine.

How serious is the public health threat of a swine flu epidemic?
Any flu epidemic is worrisome, especially when a new strain of flu bug is involved.

“Influenza A viruses new to the human population that are able to efficiently transmit from person to person and cause illness may represent a pandemic threat,” the CDC warns.

Health officials are concerned that, unlike seasonal flu, the swine flu outbreak in Mexico is attacking healthy young people. That’s a hallmark of pandemic flu bugs.

But it takes more than a new virus spreading among humans to make a pandemic. The virus has to be able to spread efficiently from one person to another, and transmission has to be sustained over time. In addition, the virus has to spread globally.

Information obtained from the CDC and Web MD websites.April 27, 2009

Additional information obtained from the Walmart website:
What should you know about H1N1 Flu?
H1N1 Flu is a respiratory disease caused by type A influenza viruses. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) has determined that the new H1N1 Flu cases are caused by an influenza strain called H1N1,
which appears to be easily transmitted from person to person. The most common method of transmission is
airborne, and it is also possible to become infected by touching a surface with the virus on it and then touching
one's mouth or nose. The CDC is advising people to wash their hands frequently, and also to avoid surfaces
that might be contaminated.
Please note that the country’s food supply is not impacted by the swine flu investigation, according to the U.S.
Department of Agriculture and the CDC. H1N1 Flu viruses are not transmitted by food and cannot be caught
by eating properly cooked pork products.
What symptoms should you watch for?
If you develop flu-like symptoms, such as fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea,
you should seek attention from your health care provider. You should also watch for these additional symptoms:
In children:
• Fast breathing or difficulty breathing
• Blue skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or interacting
• Irritability and resistance to being held
• Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worsened cough
• Fever accompanied by rash
In adults:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
How can you protect yourself and your family?
Currently, there is no vaccine available to protect against H1N1 Flu. There are, however, everyday steps to help
protect your health:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash
immediately after using.
• Wash your hands frequently using soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Alcohol-based hand cleaners or sanitizers are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
• If you do get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep
from infecting them.
Where can I get more information?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/swineu/
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: www.hhs.gov/
World Health Organization: www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

Últimas Noticias de la Gripe Porcina
A pesar de que la Gripe Porcina (H1N1) continúa aumentando en todos los Estados Unidos, esto no parece ser tan severo como los oficiales habían pensado que podría ser. En este momento, no hay ninguna recomendación para cerrar escuelas.
Los oficiales de salud pública están recomendando que los niños enfermos se queden en su hogar por lo menos 24 horas después de ya no tener fiebre sin usar medicamento para reducir la fiebre. Cualquier niño que tiene una fiebre de 100º F ó 38.7º C en la escuela será regresado a su hogar.
Los oficiales de salud aconsejan lo siguiente para que puedan protegerse ustedes y su familia contra los gérmenes y las enfermedades:
•
Mantengan a sus hijos enfermos en el hogar. No los manden a la escuela.
•
Enseñen a sus hijos a lavarse las manos con frecuencia con jabón y agua por 20 segundos. Asegúrense de dar un buen ejemplo haciéndolo ustedes mismos.
•
Enseñen a sus hijos a cubrirse la boca cuando tosen y estornuden con pañuelos desechables o cubriéndose con el antebrazo. Por favor asegúrense de dar un buen ejemplo haciéndolo ustedes mismos.
•
Enseñen a sus hijos a no compartir objetos personales como bebidas, comida, o utensilios no lavados.
•
Consideren vacunar a sus hijos contra la gripe de la temporada y la gripe H1N1 cuando esté disponible la vacuna.
Si la influenza de la gripe se vuelve más severa, puede ser que se tomen pasos adicionales. El personal del Distrito está trabajando en conjunto con la agencia del cuidado de la salud del condado y departamento de educación para monitorear las condiciones de la gripe y tomar decisiones acerca de los mejores pasos concernientes a las escuelas. Nueva información será provista a los padres conforme esté disponible.
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