Today's news release about H1N1

For Immediate Release Wednesday, April 30, 2009

Colorado Reports First Confirmed Cases of Swine Flu in State
DENVER – Today the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment reported the first two confirmed cases of swine flu in the
state. One case is a female in her 30s from Arapahoe county who
returned from a Mexico cruise a several day stay in San Diego. She
was not hospitalized and is recovering. The other case is a male in
his 40s from Douglas county who works as a baggage handler at DIA. He
was hospitalized for three days and will be released today to recover
at home.
“As I said on Sunday and Monday, we fully expected to identify
Colorado cases of swine flu,” said Ned Calonge, the state’s Chief
Medical Officer at the department. “This doesn’t change the state’s
approach to the swine flu outbreak.
“It’s important to understand that at this time, in the United States,
the swine flu is acting just like seasonal flu. It is a relatively
mild disease. We continue to ask all individuals with mild flu-like
illness to stay home. This is regardless of travel history. Children
and adolescents with fever should not go to day care or school.
Adults with fever should not go to work until their symptoms resolve.
Individuals with severe illness, such as difficulty breathing, should
contact their health care provider.”
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of
seasonal flu in humans and may include: Fever greater than 100°F, sore
throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache and body aches, and
fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated
with swine flu.
The department advises those who experience influenza symptoms need to
stay home for seven days after onset of symptoms, or at least 24 hours
after the symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer.
The state health department also encourages people to take these
personal precautions to decrease their chances of getting the flu:
· Wash hands frequently
· Cover your sneezes and coughs
· Avoid others with respiratory illnesses
The case from DIA reminds us that there are potential exposures in
public places, and here, frequent hand washing or the use of hand
sanitizers can protect people and prevent the spread of illness.
“There are other lab specimens from patients in the pipeline that may
confirm additional cases of swine flu in the days and weeks to come,”
added Calonge. “If there is evidence of a cluster of swine flu cases
that would warrant protective public health measures, we are prepared
to employ social distancing measures that would help protect people
from coming in contact with individuals who may be contagious.”
Again, this is a rapidly evolving situation and the state health
department is asking people to be alert for changes in our guidance,
available on our web site, http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/, as we learn
more.

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