The City of Pasadena Public Health Department wants to assure the Pasadena community that we are monitoring the situation, taking steps to educate people about preventing infection, and ensuring that we are prepared to act in the event that any reported cases of Influenza Type A H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) occur in our city. Please keep in mind that the situation is constantly evolving. The following is an update as of Friday, May 1, 2009 at 3:00 PM:
Currently, there are no confirmed cases of Influenza Type A H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) in the City of Pasadena and Los Angeles County. Eleven countries have officially reported 331 confirmed cases Influenza Type A H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) infections. Mexico has reported 97 confirmed human cases of infection, including seven deaths. The United States Government has reported 141 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. California currently has 17 confirmed cases. There are an additional 44 probable (not lab confirmed) California cases.
Influenza Type A H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) is not transmitted by food and a person cannot get swine influenza from eating pork products.
The California Department of Public Health has set up a Influenza Type A H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) hotline for public information. The hotline number is 1-888-865-0564.
School Dismissal: 104 schools in 10 states have closed. Of these, 3 schools in 2 states have now re-opened. The California Department of Public Health has conferred with the Superintendent of the California Department of Education and states: If a child is suspected or confirmed having Influenza Type A H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) the school should dismiss students for up to 14 days depending on the extent and severity of the illness and in close consultation with local public health officials. This is because the school environment is where children are in close proximity of each other and there is potential of the disease to spread quickly. School Districts [and private schools] will confer with the local public health department to determine whether modifications to the closure are necessary. An update regarding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for school dismissal can be found at the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/k12_dismissal.htm
At this time, there are no recommendations to cancel large public gatherings, but this may change if cases become more widespread.
The infection can spread from person to person. The symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to the symptoms of seasonal influenza and typically include: fever greater than 100 degrees, coughing, sore throat, chills, headache and body aches, fatigue, respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting. People experiencing these symptoms should stay home and contact their medical provider. The California Department of Public Health has also developed guidance for Influenza Type A H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) for appropriate use of the mask and/or respirator. Please refer to CDPH Swine Flu Interim Mask and Respirator Guidance.
For more local updates as they become available, check the Pasadena Pubic Health Information Line at 626-744-6012 or www.cityofpasadena.net/publichealth. Information is also available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the California Department Public Health.