Headline Story -- Swine Flu

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Washington State Department of Health April 28, 2009

Swine Flu Information

The Washington State Department of Health is in close contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding swine influenza H1N1 (or "swine flu") in parts of the United States, Canada and Mexico. The department is working closely with local health agencies around the state to monitor cases of pneumonia and influenza to see if they’re due to this new infection. Health care providers and laboratories in Washington have been asked to watch for influenza, especially in people who traveled to Mexico or other affected areas.

News release from the Washington State Department of Health, April 28, 2009 -- State to receive federal shipment of medication to treat swine flu

What are the symptoms of swine flu?

Human symptoms for this new type of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of the regular "seasonal" influenza that happens each year. Symptoms include fever, cough and sore throat. In addition, fatigue, lack of appetite, runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea have been reported.

More information on symptoms and precautions from the Washington State Department of Health:

  1. Swine Flu Fact Sheet English -- Spanish (PDF) -- Large type (PDF) -- Chinese (PDF) -- Korean (PDF) -- Russian (PDF) -- Vietnamese (PDF)

Are there cases of this new swine flu in Washington State?

  1. There are no known cases of people infected with swine flu in Washington State.
  2. Local health departments, health care providers and labs have been asked to watch for influenza A cases, especially in people who recently traveled to Mexico or states with cases of human swine flu.
  3. The Department of Health has not seen an increase in the number of flu cases in Washington.
  4. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that the swine flu virus causing mild illness in some states is the same strain as the virus causing an outbreak of respiratory illness among humans in some areas of Mexico.

    5. For more information and the rest of this "story", click here swine flu.


    Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs Fact Sheet
    Avoid close contact.   Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.                                                                                     
    Stay home when you are sick.  Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. Keep sick children at home.  You will help prevent others from catching the illness.                                                      
    Cover your mouth and nose.  Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or  sneezing. 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.   Washing your hands and the hands of your children often will help protect you from germs.                                            
    Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.  Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.                      
    Practice other good health habits.   Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.                                                                                                                                              
    There is no vaccine available at this time for the current outbreak of the Swine Flu virus, so it is important for people living in the affected areas to take steps to prevent spreading the virus to others. If people are ill, they should stay at home and limit contact with others, except to seek medical care. Healthy residents living in these areas should take the everyday preventive actions listed above.People who live in these areas who develop an illness with fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, should contact their health care provider. Their health care provider will determine whether influenza testing is needed.