ChiefsPlanet - View Single Post - Life WHO raises pandemic alert to second-highest level

**1ChiefsDan** · 04-30-2009, 01:36 PM

For the Denver area people:

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
For Immediate
Release Wednesday,
April 30, 2009

Colorado Reports First Confirmed Cases of Swine Flu in State
DENVER - Today the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported the first two confirmed cases of swine flu in the state. One case is a female in her 30s from Arapahoe county who returned from a Mexico cruise a several day stay in lace w:st="on">San Diegolace>. She was not hospitalized and is recovering. The other case is a male in his 40s from lace w:st="on">Douglaslace> county who works as a baggage handler at DIA. He was hospitalized for three days and will be released today to recover at home.
“As I said on Sunday and Monday, we fully expected to identify lace w:st="on">Coloradolace> cases of swine flu,” said Ned Calonge, the state’s Chief Medical Officer at the department. “This doesn’t change the state’s approach to the swine flu outbreak.
“It’s important to understand that at this time, in the United States, the swine flu is acting just like seasonal flu. It is a relatively mild disease. We continue to ask all individuals with mild flu-like illness to stay home. This is regardless of travel history. Children and adolescents with fever should not go to day care or school. Adults with fever should not go to work until their symptoms resolve. Individuals with severe illness, such as difficulty breathing, should contact their health care provider.”
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu in humans and may include: Fever greater than 100°F, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache and body aches, and
fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu.
The department advises those who experience influenza symptoms need to stay home for seven days after onset of symptoms, or at least 24 hours after the symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer.
The state health department also encourages people to take these personal precautions to decrease their chances of getting the flu:
· Wash hands frequently
· Cover your sneezes and coughs
· Avoid others with respiratory illnesses
The case from DIA reminds us that there are potential exposures in public places, and here, frequent hand washing or the use of hand sanitizers can protect people and prevent the spread of illness. “There are other lab specimens from patients in the pipeline that may confirm additional cases of swine flu in the days and weeks to come,” added Calonge. “If there is evidence of a cluster of swine flu cases that would warrant protective public health measures, we are prepared to employ social distancing measures that would help protect people from coming in contact with individuals who may be contagious.”
Again, this is a rapidly evolving situation and the state health department is asking people to be alert for changes in our guidance, available on our web site, http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/, as we learn more.

04-30-2009, 01:36 PM	#144
1ChiefsDan Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Beaverton, OR Casino cash: $10006847	For the Denver area people: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment For Immediate Release Wednesday, April 30, 2009 Colorado Reports First Confirmed Cases of Swine Flu in State DENVER - Today the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported the first two confirmed cases of swine flu in the state. One case is a female in her 30s from Arapahoe county who returned from a Mexico cruise a several day stay in lace w:st="on">San Diegolace>. She was not hospitalized and is recovering. The other case is a male in his 40s from lace w:st="on">Douglaslace> county who works as a baggage handler at DIA. He was hospitalized for three days and will be released today to recover at home. “As I said on Sunday and Monday, we fully expected to identify lace w:st="on">Coloradolace> cases of swine flu,” said Ned Calonge, the state’s Chief Medical Officer at the department. “This doesn’t change the state’s approach to the swine flu outbreak. “It’s important to understand that at this time, in the United States, the swine flu is acting just like seasonal flu. It is a relatively mild disease. We continue to ask all individuals with mild flu-like illness to stay home. This is regardless of travel history. Children and adolescents with fever should not go to day care or school. Adults with fever should not go to work until their symptoms resolve. Individuals with severe illness, such as difficulty breathing, should contact their health care provider.” The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu in humans and may include: Fever greater than 100°F, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache and body aches, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. The department advises those who experience influenza symptoms need to stay home for seven days after onset of symptoms, or at least 24 hours after the symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer. The state health department also encourages people to take these personal precautions to decrease their chances of getting the flu: · Wash hands frequently · Cover your sneezes and coughs · Avoid others with respiratory illnesses The case from DIA reminds us that there are potential exposures in public places, and here, frequent hand washing or the use of hand sanitizers can protect people and prevent the spread of illness. “There are other lab specimens from patients in the pipeline that may confirm additional cases of swine flu in the days and weeks to come,” added Calonge. “If there is evidence of a cluster of swine flu cases that would warrant protective public health measures, we are prepared to employ social distancing measures that would help protect people from coming in contact with individuals who may be contagious.” Again, this is a rapidly evolving situation and the state health department is asking people to be alert for changes in our guidance, available on our web site, http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/, as we learn more.
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