Health Dept. lists swine flu precautions

Health Department information

County fair season is here, and many area residents will soon be attending one or more county fairs. In Ohio and Indiana, there has been a recent increase in the number of reported cases of influenza illness among people who have handled or otherwise spent time around swine.

These cases of illness result from a new strain of the flu virus known as variant influenza A (H3N2v), and have generally been mild.  Symptoms are similar to those typically seen with seasonal flu, including fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, also possibly body aches, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

In order to protect themselves from illness associated with exposure to swine, the Health Department urges livestock exhibitors and fair attendees to observe the following precautions:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and running water before and after exposure to animals.
• Avoid eating, drinking or taking food in and out of animal areas.
• Young children, pregnant women, people 65 and older and those with weakened immune systems should be extra careful around animals.
• Those who have animals — including swine — should watch them for signs of illness and call a veterinarian if they suspect the animals might be sick.
• When possible, avoid close contact with animals that look or act ill.
• Avoid contact with swine if one is experiencing flu-like symptoms.

Variant influenza A virus can be directly transmitted from swine to people and from people to swine, but person to person transmission of the virus has not been documented at this time. Eating pork or pork products does not transmit the virus.

For more information, visit the health department’s variant influenza A outbreak web page at http://www.vanwertcountyhealth.org/influenza-a-variant-H3N2v.php.