Los Angeles County public health officials
today reported no confirmed cases of swine flu locally but said they
were closely monitoring hospitals and schools for signs of the
influenza strain.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 20 cases of
the virus nationwide, including seven in California and eight in New
York City, according to the CDC’s website. All seven California cases
have been in San Diego and Imperial counties. The flu has led to
numerous deaths in Mexico.
Dr. Robert Kim-Farley, L.A. County’s
director of communicable disease control and prevention, said that none
of the cases in the United States was fatal but that local public
health officials "feel that this new strain is of serious concern." He
added that it would not be "unexpected to see cases occurring in Los
Angeles."
Kim-Farley said county health officials
had put their operations center on 24-hour watch to detect the virus
and were keeping a close eye on schools and hospitals. He said a public
health laboratory also had been activated to receive additional
specimens from people suspected of having contracted the virus.
He said cases in the United States so far
can "be characterized as mild" and that two prescription medications,
Tamiflu and Relenza, seemed to be effective in combating the flu
strain.
An outbreak of swine flu in Mexico may
have contributed to the deaths of as many as 86 people and sickened
many others. Authorities there have closed schools and ordered other
emergency health measures to contain the virus. Cases also have been
confirmed in Canada and are suspected in New Zealand, France, Spain and
Israel.
Federal officials declared a public health emergency because of the virus.
"That sounds more severe than really it
is," Janet Napolitano, the U.S. Homeland Security secretary, said at a
news conference today, according to a transcript of
the briefing. "This is standard operating procedure and allows us to
free up federal, state and local agencies and their resources for
prevention and mitigation; it allows us to use medication and
diagnostic tests that we might not otherwise be able to use,
particularly on very young children; and it release funds for the
acquisition of additional antivirals."
In San Diego, where the first cases of
swine flu in the U.S. were reported last week, health officials
reported no new cases Sunday, although they warned that more could be
found as investigations continue.
Four cases have been diagnosed in San Diego County, and three people have been diagnosed in the Imperial Valley.
Dr. Wilma Wooten, public health officer
for San Diego County, continued to warn residents to take seriously any
signs of flu and to stay away from work and seek medical care if they
are sick. Physicians have been asked to report flu cases to county
health officials.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents
at the San Diego and Imperial County border crossings have been alerted
to look for persons crossing into the U.S. who appear to have flu
symptoms. Those persons are then sent to a secondary screening process.
In
secondary processing, people can be given instructions on finding
medical care and, in extreme cases, denied entry. Agents also have
access to masks and gloves both for themselves and for members of the
public.
The agency is also in contact with the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So far, no one crossing
into the U.S. from Mexico has appeared to have the symptoms of swine
flu, officials said.
Jack O’Connell, state superintendent of public instruction, also said today that the public can download posters titled "Keep Our School Healthy" and "Germ-Free Zone" with tips on how to avoid the flu. They are available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and other languages.
Kim-Farley of the Los Angeles County
Department of Public Health said those with mild illnesses should be
staying home. Anyone with flu-like symptoms — such as a fever, cough or
sore throat — who has recently traveled to Mexico should see a doctor.
In a statement posted
on the L.A. County department’s website, agency director Dr. Jonathan
E. Fielding said: "We do not suggest any changes in what you would
normally do to avoid either getting sick yourself or passing illness to
others: if you are sick, stay home; if your child is sick, do not send
him or her to school; cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze; wash
your hands frequently, especially before eating and after using the
restroom; and do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands."
-- Ari B. Bloomekatz and Tony Perry
