04-29-2009, 06:25 PM
It appears there is a case in Lake County. However, the Tribune says the 6 year old might not have been enrolled in school yet. Curious.
Possible swine flu case in Lake County
April 29, 2009
By JIM NEWTON <!-- e --><a href="mailto:jnewton@scn1.com">jnewton@scn1.com</a><!-- e -->
A probable case of swine flu has been identified in Lake County, state health officials announced Wednesday afternoon.
The case, involving a local 6-year-old from âEast Central Lake County,â was one of nine probable cases statewide announced by Dr. Damon Arnold, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, at a press conference in Chicago early Wednesday afternoon.
» Click to enlarge image
Illinois Public Health Director Damon Arnold says officials are in daily contact with local hospitals and health departments and the state will receive additional anti-flu drugs from federal stockpiles this week.
RELATED STORIES
⢠Why swine flu dangerous
⢠Map: Swine flu global alert
⢠CDC: Swine flu FAQ
⢠Video: What is swine flu?
Onset of symptoms for the child, who remains hospitalized, was April 24, according to Lake County Health Department spokeswoman Leslie Piotrowski. Piotrowski said she could not comment on whether the child had contact with anyone who had traveled to Mexico.
Health officials said that for a case to be classified as probable, testing has concluded that there is a 99 percent chance that the patient has swine flu.
Arnold said none of the nine cases appear to be severe.
Lake County Health Department activated an emergency operation center Wednesday afternoon at its administrative offices in Waukegan.
âThe county has been on top of this,â County Board Chair Suzi Schmidt said Wednesday afternoon. âWe have done drills on this. We know how to kick this into action.â
There is no vaccine available at this time for the current outbreak of the Swine Flu virus, so it is important for people living in the affected areas to take steps to prevent spreading the virus to others. If people are ill, they should stay at home and limit contact with others, except to seek medical care. Healthy residents living in these areas should take everyday preventive actions.
People who live in affected areas who develop an illness with fever (101 or higher) and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, should contact their health care provider. Their health care provider will determine whether influenza testing is needed.
In addition to the Lake County case, other probable cases announced Wednesday included five in Chicago, two in Kane County and one in DuPage County.
The Lake County Health Department has activated a Swine Flu Hotline for county residents to obtain more information on the flu, including the signs and symptoms and how to remain healthy.
The Swine Flu Hotline number is: (847) 377-8350. Information is provided in both English and Spanish.
The Health Department urges residents to follow these recommendations, can help prevent any type of flu:
⢠Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
⢠Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. Keep sick children at home. You will help prevent others from catching the illness.
⢠Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Cough into the crook of your elbow. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it and wash your hands.
⢠Wash your hands often. Washing your hands and the hands of your children often will help protect you from germs. Use alcohol sanitizer as well.
⢠Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
⢠Practice other good health habits â get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
There is no vaccine available at this time for the current outbreak of the Swine Flu virus, so it is important for people living in the affected areas to take steps to prevent spreading the virus to others. If people are ill, they should stay at home and limit contact with others, except to seek medical care. Healthy residents living in these areas should take the everyday preventive actions listed above.
People who live in affected areas who develop an illness with fever (101 or higher) and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, should contact their health care provider. Their health care provider will determine whether influenza testing is needed.
In addition to the Lake County case, other probable cases announced Wednesday included five in Chicago, two in Kane County and one in DuPage County.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1550072,swine-flu-lake-county-042909.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... 09.article</a><!-- m -->
Possible swine flu case in Lake County
April 29, 2009
By JIM NEWTON <!-- e --><a href="mailto:jnewton@scn1.com">jnewton@scn1.com</a><!-- e -->
A probable case of swine flu has been identified in Lake County, state health officials announced Wednesday afternoon.
The case, involving a local 6-year-old from âEast Central Lake County,â was one of nine probable cases statewide announced by Dr. Damon Arnold, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, at a press conference in Chicago early Wednesday afternoon.
» Click to enlarge image
Illinois Public Health Director Damon Arnold says officials are in daily contact with local hospitals and health departments and the state will receive additional anti-flu drugs from federal stockpiles this week.
RELATED STORIES
⢠Why swine flu dangerous
⢠Map: Swine flu global alert
⢠CDC: Swine flu FAQ
⢠Video: What is swine flu?
Onset of symptoms for the child, who remains hospitalized, was April 24, according to Lake County Health Department spokeswoman Leslie Piotrowski. Piotrowski said she could not comment on whether the child had contact with anyone who had traveled to Mexico.
Health officials said that for a case to be classified as probable, testing has concluded that there is a 99 percent chance that the patient has swine flu.
Arnold said none of the nine cases appear to be severe.
Lake County Health Department activated an emergency operation center Wednesday afternoon at its administrative offices in Waukegan.
âThe county has been on top of this,â County Board Chair Suzi Schmidt said Wednesday afternoon. âWe have done drills on this. We know how to kick this into action.â
There is no vaccine available at this time for the current outbreak of the Swine Flu virus, so it is important for people living in the affected areas to take steps to prevent spreading the virus to others. If people are ill, they should stay at home and limit contact with others, except to seek medical care. Healthy residents living in these areas should take everyday preventive actions.
People who live in affected areas who develop an illness with fever (101 or higher) and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, should contact their health care provider. Their health care provider will determine whether influenza testing is needed.
In addition to the Lake County case, other probable cases announced Wednesday included five in Chicago, two in Kane County and one in DuPage County.
The Lake County Health Department has activated a Swine Flu Hotline for county residents to obtain more information on the flu, including the signs and symptoms and how to remain healthy.
The Swine Flu Hotline number is: (847) 377-8350. Information is provided in both English and Spanish.
The Health Department urges residents to follow these recommendations, can help prevent any type of flu:
⢠Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
⢠Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. Keep sick children at home. You will help prevent others from catching the illness.
⢠Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Cough into the crook of your elbow. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it and wash your hands.
⢠Wash your hands often. Washing your hands and the hands of your children often will help protect you from germs. Use alcohol sanitizer as well.
⢠Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
⢠Practice other good health habits â get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
There is no vaccine available at this time for the current outbreak of the Swine Flu virus, so it is important for people living in the affected areas to take steps to prevent spreading the virus to others. If people are ill, they should stay at home and limit contact with others, except to seek medical care. Healthy residents living in these areas should take the everyday preventive actions listed above.
People who live in affected areas who develop an illness with fever (101 or higher) and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, should contact their health care provider. Their health care provider will determine whether influenza testing is needed.
In addition to the Lake County case, other probable cases announced Wednesday included five in Chicago, two in Kane County and one in DuPage County.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1550072,swine-flu-lake-county-042909.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... 09.article</a><!-- m -->