By Denise Richardson
As swine flu spread in New York City and elsewhere Monday, area health care providers said no cases had been reported locally.
But they urged hand-washing and other precautions against the illness, for which there is no vaccine and against which humans lack a natural immunity.
"The public plays a key role in preventing the spread of any contagious illness," said Ruth Blackman, director of infection prevention and control at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown.
Bassett Healthcare, A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta and public health offices in Otsego and Delaware counties prepared for swine flu Monday.
They were prompted by federal and state emergency declarations after reports of cases in the U.S. and of deaths in Mexico City.
"It's the simple steps that will make a big difference in our ability to prevent or contain the spread of swine flu,'' Blackman said in a media release.
``Things like staying home from school or work if you are sick, not visiting the hospital if you're ill and washing your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water are basic recommendations that are crucial in stemming an outbreak.''
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, swine flu is a contagious respiratory disease caused by a type-A influenza virus.
The current strain is a new variation of the disease that is a mix of human and animal versions, the CDC said, and it is spreading from human to human.
The federal Department of Health and Human Services on Sunday issued a nationwide public-health emergency declaration. Also Sunday, Gov. David Paterson activated the state's health emergency preparedness plan.
As of Monday night, HHS reported 48 confirmed cases of swine flu, including 28 in New York City. Neighboring New Jersey reported five probable cases Monday night, while Kansas, Texas, California and Ohio also had cases.
Up to 149 people in Mexico were dead and as many as 2,000 infected, The Associated Press reported, though the latter number remained unconfirmed. The World Health Organization raised its pandemic alert by one level, though it remains two short of declaring a full-blown pandemic.
The CDC said no vaccine is available against swine flu, which means the best defense is good hygiene.
``I don't think there's any reason for panic at this point,'' said Bonnie Hamilton, director of the Delaware County Public Health Department.
Cases in the United States have been mild and small in number, she said, but being aware of the disease and taking precautions are important steps.
``It's a good time for people to rethink their hygiene,'' Hamilton said. ``Hand-washing is important.''
Local officials continue
promoting awareness
The symptoms of swine influenza are the same as those of seasonal flu, health officials said, and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
The flu season this year has been average, Otsego and Delaware public health directors said.
Typically, flu season runs through the end of May.
On Monday, Otsego and Delaware county health department officials and staff of A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital and Bassett Healthcare participated in a conference call with the state Department of Health.
County health officials said they plan to continue an outreach to schools and health care providers today.
Heidi Bond, director of public health for the Otsego County Health Department, said the department distributed the state's advisory on swine flu to doctor's offices, hospitals, emergency rooms and other locations.
Hamilton said Delaware County public health officials made similar contacts as well as contacting the chairman of the county Board of Supervisors and pharmacists.
``We recognize that we're close enough to New York City for things to travel,'' Hamilton said.
Delaware County has students from the New York City area and residents who are second-home owners, she said, but there isn't any way to know how widespread the swine flu will become.
The Otsego Health Department still has vaccines available for this year's seasonal flu, Bond said, and it's not too late to be immunized.
``I would encourage anyone with flu-like symptoms to contact their health care provider,'' Bond said.
The provider then can decide on testing and treatments, she said.
Hamilton said residents desiring a vaccine for the regular flu should contact their health care provider. The vaccine isn't the ``right mix'' for swine flu and may not help, she said.
No natural immunity in humans
Blackman of Bassett said because swine flu is a new strain, people have no natural immunity, making it harder to treat or fight off the disease.
Bassett administrative personnel, infection prevention staff and its incident command team met Monday morning to coordinate the organization's response to the public health emergency.
Bassett said in a media release that other preventative steps include: the isolation of hospitalized patients; no visitors with flu-like symptoms will be allowed to visit in the hospital; in outpatient settings, people who come in with respiratory illness will be given a surgical mask to wear; and employees with influenza-like symptoms will be advised to stay home for seven days from the onset of symptoms.
Federal, state preparations
already under way
The federal public-health emergency declaration triggers responses, a media release said, such as enabling the Federal Drug Administration to issue emergency-use authorizations for laboratory tests to detect the strain and for the use of certain antivirals.
The FDA, the National Institutes of Health and the CDC are working to develop a vaccine precursor that could be used to develop a vaccine.
Paterson also put the state on high alert to quickly identify and respond to cases of swine flu.
"We are implementing comprehensive plans that have been developed and practiced for many years and will mobilize our stockpiles of medical supplies as needed," said Dr. Richard F. Daines, commissioner of the state Department of Health, in a media release.
The DOH is ongoing communication with counties, hospitals, other health care providers and schools to be sure up-to-date information is available, the governor's release said.
``I want to remind New Yorkers to take the same common sense precautions to prevent illness that you would take with any seasonal flu, such as staying home when you are ill,'' said Deputy Commissioner Dr. Guthrie Birkhead, who heads DOH's Office of Public Health, in the release.
``Parents do not need to keep otherwise healthy children home from school unless directed to do so by local school and health officials," he said.
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Denise Richardson can be reached at 432-1000 or (800) 721-1000, ext. 213, or at drichardson@thedailystar.com.
