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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, April 24, 2009 |
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No Swine Flu Cases Reported in ColoradoDENVER - The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced today there have been no documented or reported Colorado cases associated with the swine influenza outbreak in Mexico. The CDC has reported eight cases of type A swine influenza in the United States, including six cases from California (San Diego area) and two cases from Texas (San Antonio area). All eight patients have fully recovered. There are reports out of Mexico of a much larger outbreak of a more severe influenza-like illness with a greater impact. Some of the Mexico cases appear to be from the same virus, according to state’s Chief Medical Officer Ned Calonge. Colorado officials are monitoring the situation closely. At this time, CDC has not issued any travel warnings or restrictions for travelers to Mexico, Texas or California. “We are recommending that people who have traveled to the affected areas in Texas and California and develop flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches and fatigue, call their healthcare provider for evaluation,” said Calonge. “We believe it would be prudent for people with these symptoms and recent travel to Mexico to contact their care providers as well. “We are asking healthcare providers who see patients with flu-like symptoms who have a history of travel to an affected area to collect nasal swab specimens and send them to the state laboratory for testing,” he added. This is a good time to remind Coloradans about flu preparedness, Calonge said. People should wash their hands frequently and cover their sneezes and coughs. People who are sick should stay home from school or work. The swine flu outbreak is a good reminder of the importance of preparedness planning, chiefly stockpiling at home a two-week supply of food, water and other supplies for use in a flu epidemic or other emergency. Swine flu is simply an A-type flu virus that infects pigs and, in this case, has been transmitted to humans. The symptoms are the same as for seasonal flu. ---30--- |
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