Updated Friday: San Benito County health official Samela Perez
said there still are no confirmed cases of swine flu locally. The
county public health department is readying itself to take the
appropriate steps if there is a case in San Benito County.
”
We want to identify it as quickly as possible and prevent it
from spreading to others,
”
Perez said.
The following is an update from today:
San Benito County Public Health Information Officer Samela Perez said again late this morning there are no confirmed cases of swine flu in San Benito County.
The department of health and human services, she noted, is continuing active surveillance for flu-like symptoms in various populations of the county.
As of Monday, there had been nearly 300 confirmed cases of the swine flu nationwide with 30 in California and one death as a result of the strain, according to the Centers for Disease
“We have increased our monitoring to include the faith-based communities, school, preschools, hospitals and clinics, assembling of local businesses on a daily basis, the labor camps, jail and juvenile halls, pharmacies and those who reach special populations in the community.”
Although there were not any available numbers regarding the number of people tested, Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital spokeswoman Frankie Arballo said screenings and tests have been done and “nothing has come back and there are no confirmed cases (of swine flu).”
The following is the story published last week.
A local health official said there had been no confirmed cases of swine flu in San Benito County as officials have continually monitored schools, hospitals and clinics.
“There are no cases to this point as of right now,” said Sam Perez, health education programs coordinator with San Benito County.
Local residents who have been treated for flu-like symptoms have been isolated and tested, Perez said.
Of those that have been infected with the virus, 100 percent have had a fever, 84 percent have had a cough, 64 percent have had a sore throat, 25 percent have had diarrhea and 18 percent have vomited. The median age for those with the virus is around 18.
The county public health department is doing preventative outreach for targeted demographics, Perez said. She added that the department is telling some groups to stay home and keep children at home if flu-like symptoms arise. The public health department is spreading information regarding swine flu to businesses, schools, labor camps, preschools and those in the faith-based communities.
If there was a case at one of the schools in the county, students would be dismissed from that school and it would remain closed for seven days, Perez said.
“It is important to have a contingency plan in case a school closes.”
Perez said that if someone comes into the United States from Mexico, public health officials are asking them to stay at home for at least one week before going back to school or work.
According to a release from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department Information Office, officials there have identified six probable cases of swine flu. Specimens from these cases are being sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation testing. At this time, there are no confirmed cases out of 99 tested samples, as of Wednesday morning.
Four patients had a mild flu-like illness and one patient was hospitalized but also was known to have an underlying chronic condition, according to the statement. All five of those patients have recovered.
A recent release from San Benito County reminds people to cover mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing; wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing; avoid close contact with sick people; and if you do get sick with the flu, the county recommends you stay home from work or school to prevent others from getting sick.
The county public health department is readying itself to take the appropriate steps if there is a case in San Benito County. “We want to identify it as quickly as possible and prevent it from spreading to others,” Perez said. “We are cautious and concerned and we want to be able to act quickly.”
For more information, call the San Benito County Public Health Department at 637-5367 or go to its Web site at www.sanbenitoco.org. You can also go the CDC’s Web site at www.cdc.org or the California Department of Public Health’s Web site at www.cdph.ca.gov.
