skip to main content

How to find us

Phone: 206-296-4600
TTY Relay: 711

Toll-free: 800-325-6165

Click here to email us

Instructions to submit a Public Records Request
Health advisory: Human Swine Flu Virus (SIV) Infections
April 24, 2009

ACTION REQUESTED:

  • Consider the possibility of swine flu in persons with influenza-like illness and recent travel to affected areas in Texas and California (and possibly Mexico) or who have been in contact with ill persons from these areas in the 7 days before illness onset.
  • If swine flu is suspected, obtain a respiratory swab for swine flu testing and place it in a refrigerator (not freezer). Use airborne inflection control precautions for specimen collection.
  • Take appropriate infection control precautions including airborne precautions for hospitalized patients (link to CDC recommendations below).
  • All healthcare facilities should review respiratory hygiene measures in outpatient areas.
  • Report suspected cases of swine flu to Public Health immediately at 206-296-4774 to facilitate: A) laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis, and B) prompt investigation and of cases and identification of other persons at risk for illness.
  • As always, persons with a respiratory illness with fever should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading influenza and other respiratory illnesses, to others in their communities.

Background:

Seven cases of human infection with a newly recognized, novel swine influenza A (H1N1) virus (SIV) have been confirmed by CDC among residents of San Diego County and Imperial County, California (5) and Guadalupe County, near San Antonio Texas (2). The cases have no known contact with swine or links to one another (except one father-daughter pair) suggesting that human to human spread is occurring. The extent of spread in the population is not known at this time. The cases tested positive for influenza A, but could not be subtyped locally and were sent to CDC for identification. All patients had uncomplicated illness and have recovered. Two viruses tested to-date are resistant to adamantines and sensitive to neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and zanamivir). Influenza vaccine does not provide reliable protection against swine flu virus.

In addition, there have been recent reports of an increase in respiratory infections and pneumonia from Mexico. At this time the etiology of the illnesses in Mexico is not known, but there is a potential that it may be related to the swine flu cases detected in the US. Public Health suggests this is a good opportunity to review your pandemic influenza response plans. Additional information regarding the potential for swine flu in Mexico will be provided as soon as it is available.

SIV can cause uncomplicated influenza-like illness (fever, cough or sore throat), mild respiratory illness (nasal congestion, rhinorrhea) without fever and occasional severe disease. Other symptoms reported with SIV infection include vomiting, diarrhea, myalgia, headache, chills, fatigue, and dyspnea. Persons with SIV infection should be considered potentially contagious for up to 7 days following illness onset or until symptoms have resolved. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods. The duration of infectiousness might vary by SIV strain. Infection control measures include airborne precautions for hospitalized patients.

Resources:

To subscribe to receive e-mail and/or fax health alerts from Public Health, contact Maybelle Tamura at 206-296-4774 or Maybelle.Tamura@kingcounty.gov