Swine Flu Cases Appearing in Tri-State Area

KYW Newsradio Team Coverage

The H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, has made its way to the Delaware Valley with several cases reported in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

KYW's Tony Romeo reports the Pennsylvania health department says that as of Thursday afternoon there were a total of four "probable" swine flu cases in the Commonwealth -- all in the Philadelphia region.

The first probable case, announced Wednesday, involved a two year-old Philadelphia child with an onset date of March 23rd, state health department spokeswoman Stacy Kriedeman says. She says the three new probable cases are much more recent.

Kriedeman says the department is still awaiting the final word from the CDC, but soon will be able to do its own testing of probable cases:

"At some point in the very near future, probably the next day or two, we will get test kits from the CDC to conduct the additional testing in the state lab."

The three new probable cases are a 25 year-old man from Philadelphia, a 46-year-old woman from Philadelphia, and as KYW Newsradio's Brad Segall reported earlier, a 31-year-old man from Montgomery County (see related story).


KYW’s David Madden reports from Trenton that New Jersey officials insist there’s nothing to worry about even as they confirm the first five cases of swine flu in the Garden State.

Three members of a Burlington County family contracted the H1N1 virus while visiting Mexico. Two other victims are North Jersey women -- one from Monmouth County, the other from Bergen County.  All have been treated for a mild strain of the flu, according to governor Jon Corzine (at far left in photo above):

"We’re certainly not in the alarm stage. What we are in is a proactive surveillance and monitoring effort, one that we had planned for."

Two other suspected cases were awaiting CDC review.

The state has more than one million doses on Tamiflu on hand, but officials insist that unless someone is sick, they should go on with life as normal and practice proper hygiene.


KYW's John McDevitt reports that the Delaware health department confirms that four of 16 students being treated for flu at the University of Delaware have tested positive for swine flu.  And officials say six new "probable" cases came to light on Thursday morning.

The state's Division of Public Health conducted its first daily telephone briefing on Thursday on the status of swine flu preparedness and response.

Officials say the four confirmed cases were the initial four tested on Monday and Tuesday at the university.  As of Thursday afternoon there were 12 "probable" cases (see previous story).

Delaware governor Jack Markell says he has requested "advisory assistance" from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health officials say that 400 students at the University of Delaware have been seen at two health centers  set up on campus.

The university says it will remain open at this point despite the growing number of cases.

Meanwhile, the health department advises University of Delaware students who have flu-like symptoms to go to the on-campus student health centers.

  
KYW's Jim Melwert reports that Pennsylvania had its first probable case and at least one suspected case (see related story).

The first probable case in Pennsylvania was a two-year-old from Philadelphia who became ill on March 23rd, according to  the state health department.

The child has made a full recovery and officials say there are no risk factors or likely exposure to swine flu, but they have to classify it as "probable" under CDC's guidelines.

Symptoms include sore throat, fever, stuffy nose, headaches, and fatigue.

SLIDESHOW:  History of the Outbreak


KYW's Kim Glovas asked residents of Philadelphia if they've taken precautions to prevent the spread of swine flu.

Ed Bradley and his co-worker were getting Thursday morning coffee in Fishtown:

"Me and him work in a freezer, so we wash our hands because we get meat in from different countries. We've got a couple of people on the job wearing masks and stuff.  Overall you just take the same precautions you've been taking, just play it safe."

Other folks say they are not taking any unusual precautions or changing behaviors. However, one man did say he always washes his hands a lot because he has always been a germophobe.

KYW's Michelle Durham spoke with an expert about how to stay out of harm's way.

Dr. Marla Gold is dean of Drexel University's School of Public Health:

"Thus far, swine flu is behaving as a typical flu we usually see."

How can we avoid it? Dr. Gold says the tried and true measures of washing your hands, using alcohol based hand cleansers, and keeping your hands away from your eyes and nose are key -- as is staying home when you are sick. 
  
Will we see swine flu again in the fall? She says we will:

"I'm optimistic that we will have the vaccine by the fall. I know that is everyone's concern. Folks have said, how prepared are we? From a public health perspective we are more prepared than we have ever been."

Dr. Gold says she's grateful the appearance of swine flu happened at the end of the flu season.

KYW medical editor Dr. Brian McDonough reports that a lot of people have been asking what's happening at local hospitals. 

First of all hospitals, are not panicking. They are gearing up.  And they realize that they need plenty of masks and medicine if necessary.

In addition, they're educating their staff to make sure that if someone is coughing, has a high temperature, and can be spreading potential swine flu, they are to get them isolated and wearing a mask.

They other key point is if employees are feeling sick and believe they have flu-like symptoms, they are not to come to work. Once again, you want to reduce the potential risk of spread.
 
Stay tuned to KYW Newsradio 1060 for complete coverage of this major news story.