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30 More Swine Flu Cases Confirmed In Bell County
Thirty more swine flu cases have been confirmed in Bell County, pushing the total number of confirmed cases in Central Texas to more than 160.
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1 Comments 
(June 25, 2009)—The Bell County Public Health District said Thursday there are now 98 confirmed cases of swine flu in Bell County, up from the 67 cases reported at the start of the week.
That pushes the total number of confirmed cases in Central Texas to more than 160.
McLennan County health officials say two cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the county, but one of the two patients is not a county resident, but instead is from Harris County.
The most recent state data show 34 confirmed cases in Brazos County, two in Coryell County, one in Milam County, 25 in Williamson County and 2 in Hamilton County.
Statewide, about 2,300 cases have been confirmed.
Ten deaths in the state are linked to the virus.
On Tuesday, the Killeen ISD said it has one confirmed case of swine flu at Rancier Middle School, which is open for summer classes, which will continue.
The school district said it will provide specialized cleaning services at the school and on buses throughout the district.
Last week, a camper at the Greene Family Camp in Bruceville was diagnosed with swine flu and health officials suspected four other campers might also have been infected.
The five were sent home for the seven days the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends.
One of them is expected to return to the camp Wednesday and two others are expected back Thursday.
Also last week, Temple city officials announced that a child who was attending the city-run Camp Heatwave day camp has been diagnosed with swine flu.
Camp Heatwave is for children ages 5 to 14 and runs from June 5 through Aug. 21 at the Wilson Park Recreation Center.
The current virus is described as a new subtype of swine flu or A/H1N1 not previously detected in swine or humans. The virus combines genetic material from pigs, birds and humans in a way researchers have not seen before.
How Is It Transmitted?
People cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Most influenza viruses, including the swine flu virus, are not spread by food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe. No food safety issues have been identified, related to the flu. Preliminary investigations have determined that none of the people infected with the flu had contact with hogs. The virus is spreading by human-to-human transmission.
Swine Flu Symptoms
Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of seasonal flu and include:
Fever
Fatigue
Lack of appetite
Coughing
Runny nose
Sore throat
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
What To Do If You Get Sick
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
(CDC)
Steps You Can Take 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
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them
(CDC)
Links And Other Resources
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has a toll-free information line to answer any questions you may have about the swine flu. The number is 1-888-777-5320
World Health Organization Human Swine Influenza Site
Latest Comments
I think there should now be a law that if you are told by the CDC to stay home and yet you go and infect other people for you to be prosecuted. At the very least I would like to see lawsuits coming out of this as well. Maybe then the infected people will stay home and not think it's a joke anymore.
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