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There are no confirmed cases of swine flu in Tompkins County to date. The Tompkins County Health Department is monitoring the situation and is in contact with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and will notify the community if and when there is a laboratory confirmed case.

The purpose of laboratory confirmation is to determine if swine flu is present in the community. Not all cases will be sent for laboratory confirmation. The Tompkins County Health Department (in consultation with a patient’s physician) will determine which cases will be sent for laboratory confirmation based on criteria set by NYSDOH and the CDC. Once there is a laboratory confirmed case, providers will assess and treat other cases accordingly.

The Department implemented standard operating procedure as it does routinely with any communicable disease concern. Communicable disease staff are in contact with Cayuga Medical Center’s emergency department, schools, colleges, health care providers, labs, and day care providers to monitor any increases in illness with flu-like symptoms. It convened its Emergency Preparedness Committee to bring members up to date on the rapidly evolving situation. Members include representatives of agencies and providers mentioned above as well as the Department of Emergency Response and others.

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular, seasonal flu. They include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Like seasonal flu, swine flu can vary in severity from mild to severe, and may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. At this point in time, swine flu virus is acting very much like seasonal flu. The majority of cases identified in this country have been mild and people have been able to take care of themselves.

It is important to keep in mind that the seasonal flu period has not ended. Anyone experiencing flu like symptoms could be infected with seasonal flu. People should monitor their symptoms. If they have flu like symptoms and they’ve traveled to communities either within the United States or internationally where there are one or more confirmed cases of swine flu (H1N1) ,), they should contact their health care provider. The health provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses such as the flu:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water especially after you cough or sneeze.
• Try to avoid contact with sick people.
• Stay home from work or school if you have the flu and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Call the Health Department at 274-6616 if you have not had a flu shot this season.  A flu shot will provide protection from seasonal flu typically active through the month of May.

For more information on the swine flu outbreak, go to the Tompkins County Health Department website .The site provides links to the CDC and New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) websites. NYSDOH has set up a swine flu hotline. Call 1-800-808-1987.

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