Three Confirmed Cases in Los Angeles County
While the Pasadena Public Health Department is cautiously optimistic that the Influenza
Type A H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) has not been as severe as earlier thought, please keep in
mind that this a new virus and the situation is still evolving. We want to assure the
Pasadena community that the Public Health Department is continuing to monitor the
situation, taking steps to educate people about preventing infection, and ensuring that we
are prepared to respond to any reported cases that occur in our city.
The following is an update as of Monday, May 4, 2009 at 2:00 PM:
• The Los Angeles County Health Department has reported three confirmed cases of
• The Los Angeles County Health Department has reported three confirmed cases of
Influenza Type A H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu); however, there are still no confirmed
human cases in the City of Pasadena or surrounding San Gabriel Valley.
California currently has 30 confirmed cases. In the US, the Center for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 286 laboratory confirmed human
infections with Influenza Type A H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu).
• Influenza is always serious – each year in the United States, seasonal influenza
results, on average, in an estimated 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000
hospitalizations from flu-related causes.
• Because H1N1 is a new virus, most people will not have immunity to it, and illness
may become more severe and widespread as a result. 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 doctor.
Things You Can Do:
• You can prevent the spread of this new virus by following the same precautions that
you normally follow to avoid getting sick: wash your hands frequently, using hand
sanitizer when you cannot get to soap and water; cover your nose and mouth with a
tissue when you cough or sneeze; and avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes.
• If you or your child has flu-like symptoms such as fever, coughing, fatigue, or sore
throat, stay home from work or school and recover. Do not return to work or school
until one to two days after symptoms end. This will help prevent the spread of illness
to others.
• If you do not yet have a family emergency preparedness kit, take time to make one
now. Create a family communications plan. Gather any needed supplies such as extra
food, medicines, and other essential emergency supplies.
Other Updates:
• School Dismissal Reminder: 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. The school should confer with the
local public health department to determine what steps to take. An update regarding the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for school dismissal as
well as other interim guides can be found at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.
• At this time, there are no recommendations to cancel large public gatherings, but this
may change if cases become more widespread.
• The World Health Organization is not recommending any travel restrictions at this
time.
• Influenza Type A H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) is not transmitted by food and a person
cannot get swine influenza from eating pork products.
For More Information:
• For more local updates as they become available, check the Pasadena Public Health
Information Line at 744-6012 or www.cityofpasadena.net/publichealth.
• California Department of Public Health/Influenza Type A H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu)
Hotline
1-888-865-0564
• www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
[This is provided as informational updates to the Pasadena community and may be
shared. In an attempt to send these updates in