News and Announcements

Swine Flu

April 29, 2009

Updated Monday, May 11 at 10:00a

The Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) reports:
• No suspected, probable or confirmed cases of H1N1 Flu (swine flu) in Fresno County at this time.
• There have been no Fresno County school closures.
• Respiratory / personal hygiene measures are the most effective way to reduce the risk of influenza infection and the spread of infection, including swine flu. Please promote the following:
1.    Cover coughs and sneezes – angle into elbow or use tissue (throw tissue in trash after use)
2.    Wash hands often and thoroughly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after a cough or sneeze
3.    Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth
4.    Try to avoid close contact with sick people
5.    If flu symptoms occur, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from spreading infection
6.    Contact your health care provider or seek medical care if symptoms worsen or if the sick person experiences shortness of breath or altered mental status
• The symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include:
1.    Fever - 100° F and cough
2.    Sore throat and body aches
3.    Possible diarrhea and vomiting
• Visit the Fresno County Department of Public Health website www.fcdph.org for the latest information and for links to additional resources.

Updated Tuesday, May 5 at 1:45p

The Centers for Disease Control has issued new recommendations regarding school closures. Effective immediately, school closure IS NOT advised for a suspected or confirmed case of novel influenza (H1N1). Students, faculty and staff with influenza-like illness (fever with a cough or sore throat) should stay home and not attend school or go into the community except to seek medical care for a least 7 days even if symptoms resolve sooner.

Updated Tuesday, May 5 at 12:45p

As of 4:00p on Monday, May 4, the Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) reports that there are no suspected, probable or confirmed cases of H1N1 Flu (swine flu) in Fresno County at this time.
There have been no Fresno County school closures.

Updated Monday, May 4 at 2:45p

As part of CDPH's efforts to provide updated information to Californians on what they can do to protect themselves and their families from the swine flu outbreak, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has activated a toll-free swine flu hotline in English and Spanish. Assistance in other languages is also available. The phone number is 1-888-865-0564. CDPH?s swine flu hotline is available Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Updated Monday, May 4 at 10:30a

As of 4:00p on Friday, May 1, the Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) reports that there are no suspected, probable or confirmed cases of H1N1 Flu (swine flu) in Fresno County. Please continue to use preventative measures. An additional resource has been added below (see brochure entitled Swine Flu (H1N1 Flu) - English/Spanish)

In response to the confirmed cases of swine flu in the United States, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency and the Governor of California has declared a state of emergency. According to the press release, this proclamation is part of the state's aggressive approach to address swine flu. Locally, the Fresno County Department of Public Health reports there are ". . . no confirmed, suspect or probable cases of swine flu in Fresno County at this time."

Washington Colony is in close communication with local health officials and is prepared to react immediately and appropriately should it become necessary. At this time, respiratory/personal hygiene measures are the most effective way to reduce the risk of influenza infection and the spread of infection, including swine flu:

Cover coughs and sneezes - angle into elbow or use tissue (throw tissue in trash after use)
Wash hands often and thoroughly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after a cough or sneeze
Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth
Try to avoid close contact with sick people
If flu symptoms occur, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from spreading infection
Contact your health care provider or seek medical care if symptoms worsen or it the sick person experiences shortness of breath or altered mental status.
The symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include:
- Fever - 100°F and cough
- Sore throat and body aches
- Possible diarrhea and vomiting