Swine Flu Monitoring And Prevention Efforts Underway

The NPS Office of Public Health, along with other Public Health offices in the department and throughout the federal government, is closely monitoring the recent appearance of swine influenza in Mexico and the United States.

Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the U.S. in San Diego County and Imperial County, California, as well as in San Antonio, Texas. Internationally, human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in Mexico. Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with similar swine influenza viruses.

CDC is working very closely with state and local officials in California and Texas and with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization. On April 24th, CDC sent seven epidemiologists to San Diego and Imperial Counties and a senior medical officer to Texas to provide guidance and technical support for the ongoing epidemiologic field investigations. CDC has also sent a medical officer and a senior expert to Mexico who are part of a global team that is responding to the outbreak of respiratory illnesses in that country.

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through the coughing or sneezing of infected people. There are many things you can to do preventing getting and spreading influenza:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.