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News
Virginia Department of Health announces two cases of H1N1 flu in Commonwealth
May 1, 2009
By Virginia Department of Emergency Management
RICHMOND, Va.— State Health Commissioner Karen Remley, M.D., MBA, said today that the state has received confirmation of its first two H1N1 flu cases, also called swine flu.
The patients are an adult male from eastern Virginia and an adult female from central Virginia. Each had traveled to Mexico. Both had mild illnesses and are recovering well. Neither required hospitalization. Neither are students.
Given the size of the state's population, seasonal travel patterns and the ease with which the flu virus is spread, Dr. Remley said that it is likely there will be additional cases in the Commonwealth.
"Our local health districts are working in close collaboration with their community partners in monitoring developments and providing guidance," Dr. Remley said. "We remain in contact with clinicians, hospitals and pharmacists to furnish them with up-to-the-minute care and treatment guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."
The current H1N1 influenza outbreak is caused by an influenza A virus not previously detected in humans or animals. Symptoms are similar to those of seasonal flu and typically include fever, cough and sore throat. Additional symptoms may include headache, chills and fatigue. Persons with H1N1 flu are contagious for up to seven days after the onset of illness and possibly longer if they are still symptomatic.
Dr. Remley advised anyone with these symptoms to protect themselves, their families and their neighbors by:
- Stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Before seeking care, call your health care provider or local health department, so that necessary infection control measures can be put in place.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash after use.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
- Limit close contact with sick people.
- Prevent the spread of germs by not touching eyes, nose or mouth.
For more information, consult the CDC's Website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu and the Virginia Department of Health Website at http://www.vdh.state.va.us.