3 confirmed cases of swine flu in Va.

RICHMOND, Va. - In a release sent out Saturday afternoon, the Virginia Department of Health announced a third case of swine flu has been confirmed in the Commonwealth. Virginia Health Commissioner Dr. Karen Remley said the infected individual is a student at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va.

“The student continues to recover well and this announcement simply confirms our suspicion that this was an actual case of the new influenza A virus,” said Dr. Remley. “This confirmation does not change the risks to those on campus, but it does reemphasize that everyone should follow good infection control practices, including avoiding others if you sick with flu symptoms.”

Another student of the university is said to be a "probable" case of swine flu.

On Friday, Dr. Remley said, “Neither student had traveled outside the country, but both had visited other states recently. None of the states visited were known to have confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1).”

The news comes just a day after two separate Virginia cases were confirmed. A man in the Three Rivers Health District was diagnosed with the virus as well as a woman in the Chesterfield Health District.

At a press conference on Friday morning, Dr. Remley suggested to schools to review plans for responding to outbreaks like swine flu. She says the VDH is reaching out to Virginia schools, particularly to college students.

Dr. Remley says the student population is not always reading the paper and listening to the news. Therefore, the department wants to make sure they are aware how to prevent and treat the virus. That message was received at Hampton University where the swine flu alert is now on the school's website.

Desiree Walker, a junior nursing major at Hampton University, said she takes basic measures like washing her hands, but isn't too concerned yet as she follows updates in the news.

Christopher Newport University and Old Dominion University have posted swine flu alerts on their websites as well, cautioning students about travel and warning them to take extra health measures to prevent the spread of germs.

"It spreads around like a virus so I keep washing my hands twenty times a day," said ODU junior Liza Moiseeva.

"Even the two [confirmed] cases we have are no longer contagious," Suzie Silverstein who is answering phones in the Swine Flu contact center tells a caller from Virginia Beach.

"They have good questions like what should I do? I tell them if you're sick stay home. If your kid is sick keep him home," Silverstein says. State Health officials say if we do that we will stop the spread of swine flu.

Officials would not tell WAVY.com how many suspected cases are under investigation, and the CDC will begin testing suspected cases on Monday to cut down on the time it takes for confirmation.

The Centers for Disease Control classified both Virginia cases as mild.

When asked the age of the confirmed Virginia cases, the VDH spokesperson would only say they are both adults.

Diane Helentjaris, acting director, State Epidemiologist, said, "If you are sick stay home and avoid contact as much as possible. That common sense approach will do the best with this airborne illness."

Remley emphasized that there are several misconceptions about this virus. First, that if you are taking a drug such as Tamiflu, everything will be okay. She said Tamiflu does not keep you from being contagious. Second, she said you cannot get HINI from pork products, despite the swine flu name. Third, wearing a mask alone does not protect you. If you wear a mask, you must also follow public health precautions such as washing your hands.

"I'm not surprised at all," said Dr. Nancy Welch, Director of the Chesapeake Health Department, about the Virginia cases.

Welch says you should do a number of things to protect yourself; wash your hands, cover your mouth when you sneeze and stay home if you're sick.

She says what you should not do is panic.

"We need to put it into perspective. Every year during seasonal flu, we have thousands of cases of influenza and we have about 35-thousand deaths. The reason we've been so much on top of the swine flu influenza is because it is a totally unique virus," said Welch.

The Secretary of Homeland Security said it is treatable.

"Anti-virals for this strain exist. They've been stockpiled and they have been distributed, so people should know that those plans have been underway for several years and we're now working through those plans," said Janet Napolitano.

The two confirmed Virginia cases, an adult male from Eastern Virginia and an adult Female from Central Virginia, are likely to stir up many questions.

The Commonwealth opened up a call center because local health departments were getting so many calls.

"We thought by opening up this call center and giving everybody one central place to call to get their information, it'll make it easier for the public to get good information and easier for us to respond to their questions," said Suzi Silverstein, Call Center Coordinator.

Questions like: is it safe to travel? Both confirmed cases in the Commonwealth had traveled to Mexico.

"What we're telling them at this point is the only recommendation made is to not take unnecessary trips to Mexico," said Patrick Bridge, Training Coordinator.

The Virginia call center number is toll free -- 1-877-ASK-VDH3. It opens at 8:30 a.m. Friday and closes at 4:30 p.m. Officials decided to extend call center hours for the weekend. It is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Virginia is the 12th state to have swine flu cases confirmed by the CDC.

Meanwhile North Carolina State Health Department is now reporting the state has 4 'probable' cases of the N1H1 Flu.

The World Health Organization reported 658 cases and 17 deaths worldwide, as of Saturday evening.
 

VDH Announcement:

 

State Health Commissioner Karen Remley, M.D., MBA, announced today that one of the two probable new influenza A (H1N1) virus infections announced yesterday at Washington and Lee University in Lexington has been confirmed as influenza A (H1N1).

 

“The student continues to recover well and this announcement simply confirms our suspicion that this was an actual case of the new influenza A virus,” said Dr. Remley. “This confirmation does not change the risks to those on campus, but it does reemphasize that everyone should follow good infection control practices, including avoiding others if you sick with flu symptoms.”

Confirmation has not been received on the second W&L probable influenza A (H1N1) case.

Dr. Remley said the state would continue to work closely with W&L to ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to protect this academic community.

The current H1N1 influenza outbreak is caused by an influenza A virus not previously detected in humans or animals. Symptoms are similar to those of seasonal flu and typically include fever, cough and sore throat. Additional symptoms may include headache, chills, fatigue and body aches. Persons with H1N1 influenza are contagious for up to seven days after the onset of illness and possibly longer if they are still symptomatic.

Dr. Remley advised anyone with these symptoms to protect themselves and their fellow students by:

• Staying home from work or school and limiting their contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Calling the Student Health Center or their health care providers before seeking care so that the necessary infection control measures can be put in place.
• Covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze and throwing the tissue in the trash after use.
• Washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
• Limiting close contact with sick people
• Preventing the spread of germs by not touching eyes, nose or mouth

We have established an information line at (877) ASK-VDH3, or (877) 275-8343, for anyone with concerns or questions about H1N1 flu, said Dr. Remley. The hotline, which will be open May 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and May 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. assisted 750 callers Thursday and hundreds more Friday.

For further information consult the CDCs Web site at www.cdc.gov/swineflu and the VDH Web site at www.vdh.virginia.gov.

All this information can also be found on WAVY.com's swine flu special section.