April 27, 2009
LANSING - The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) announced today that one probable swine flu case has been reported in Livingston County. State laboratory results showed that a 34-year-old woman of Livingston County has a probable case of the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus. The state laboratory results will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today to determine if the case is positive.
The woman, who recently traveled to the Texas and Mexican border, experienced flu-like symptoms and is recovering at home. The woman's doctor has instructed her to stay home until further notice.
"We are monitoring the probable case here in Michigan and we are informing all doctors on what to look for when they treat sick patients," said Dr. Greg Holzman, chief medical executive for (MDCH). "This probable case is not a cause for alarm but we do want people to be cautious. It is important that people cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze and it's important to wash your hands frequently to help prevent the spreading of germs. If people are sick, they need to stay home from work and school."
Holzman also provides these recommendations:
- As always, people with respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections, including influenza, to others in the community.
- Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness.
- People experiencing severe symptoms including cough, fever, fatigue, sore throat, chills, headaches, body aches possibly along with diarrhea and vomiting, should contact their physician.
Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food and a person cannot get swine influenza from eating pork products. The infections appear to spread from person to person. Drugs called antivirals can reduce the consequences of contracting the flu, if taken early. Michigan is receiving frequent updates from the CDC, and is working with local health departments to monitor the situation and immediately follow up on any suspected cases. The CDC has created a Web page with information at www.cdc.gov/swineflu.
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