Ten cases of probable H1N1 swine flu now identified in King County

Health officials have now identified ten cases in King County that they suspect are due to influenza A/H1N1, also known as swine flu. In addition, there are three other suspected cases elsewhere in Washington state.

Laboratory samples from the patients have been sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmation.

To date, the illnesses seen in King County and elsewhere in the U.S. appear to be no more severe than illnesses from the seasonal influenza typically seen every winter in the region, said Dr. David Fleming, director & health officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County.

While there has been an uptick in emergency room visits in the region, local hospitals are not reporting an increase in admissions for serious respiratory infections.

However, because influenza A/H1N1 is new, health officials said they are proceeding with “an abundance of caution” until the virus’ characteristics are better known.

As a result health officials have agreed with local school districts that the best course of action was to close schools where students have come down with suspected influenza A/N1N1 infections.

Schools that have been closed are: Seattle’s Madrona Elementary School, Aki Kurose Middle School and Stevens Elementary K-8, and in Federal Way, Woodmont Elementary.

PHOTO CREDIT: CDC / GS Goldsmith and A Balish

To learn more about the outbreak in King County:

• Go to King County’s Swine Flu Web page for updates and additional information.

Additional sources of information about Influenza A/H1N1 (swine flu) below.

Swine Flu and You

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm (English)
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/espanol/influenza_porcina_usted.htm (Espanol)

Facts about Swine Flu
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm (English)
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/espanol/swine_espanol.htm (Espanol)

Preventing the Flu
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_internal_003 (English)
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/espanol/habits.htm (Espanol)

Latest news from CDC
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ (English)
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/espanol/ (Espanol)

Symptoms and precautions from the Washington State Department of Health
English (PDF) 
Spanish (PDF)
Chinese (PDF)
Korean (PDF)
Russian (PDF)
Vietnamese (PDF)
Large type (PDF)

Tags: 2009/H1N1, CDC, Federal Way, Flu, H1N1, Influenza, Schools, Swine Flu

Category: Influenza