ASSOCIATED PRESS: Health officials confirmed Pennsylvania’s first case of swine flu Sunday in a 31-year-old man in suburban Philadelphia’s Montgomery County. Gov. Ed Rendell told reporters at a late afternoon news conference that the man had recently arrived from Mexico but had recovered. State health officials said they are investigating seven more probable cases of the illness, including the first outside of the Philadelphia area , two cases in Philadelphia, two cases in Montgomery County and one each in Bucks County, Lycoming and Luzerne counties. Pennsylvania Health Secretary Everette James urged residents to remain calm and said officials are taking every possible step to prevent the spread of the virus, including deploying anti-viral drugs to treat confirmed or probable cases of the disease. “So far, most cases have been relatively mild and treatable with anti-virals,” he said in a statement. MORE
[VIA CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL & PREVENTION]
- Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
- Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
- Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
- 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.
- Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
- Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
SWINE FLU PUBLIC INFORMATION [via PHILA.GOV]
- Pandemic Influenza Information for Businesses
- Health Bulletin on H1N1 (Swine) Flu – 5/01/2009
- Boletin Especial sobre H1N1 Influenza Porcina – 5/01/2009
- Influenza Update II for Thursday, April 30th, 2009
- Influenza Update for Thursday, April 30th, 2009
- PA Health Officials Report Probable Swine Flu Case – 4/29/09
- Swine Flu Test Result Negative – 4/28/09
- PDPH Awaits Test Results of International Traveler – 4/28/09
- Facts: What to Know & How to Stay Healthy
- CDC: Swine Influenza Homepage
- CDC: Swine Flu and You
- CDC Informacion en Espanol Sobre la Influenza Porcina (gripe porcina)
- CDC: Things You Can D0