University of Arkansas Health Officials Remain Vigilant for Swine Flu, Offer Prevention Advice

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – While no cases of swine flu had been identified in Arkansas as of Monday, April 27, University of Arkansas officials are dealing with the potential that swine flu could occur on campus. University officials have met with the Washington County Department of Health and all protocols set forth by the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control are being followed. The health organizations are currently monitoring for occurrences of swine flu in the state.

Early reports of swine flu have centered on Mexico City, but cases have also been identified in the United States including Texas and Kansas.

Swine influenza is a respiratory disease that causes regular outbreaks among pigs. While unusual, swine flu can spread from pigs to humans, most commonly through direct exposure to pigs (such as working on a pig farm). Human-to-human spread of swine flu also has been reported. Swine flu is not transmitted through eating pork.

The Pat Walker Health Center on campus can test individuals for the flu and also has medical treatments to help those people who have been diagnosed.

“As a precautionary measure, Pat Walker Health Center has contacted any patients who presented flu-like symptoms in the last week. So far, everyone is doing well, and there appears to be no connection to any of the flus which have been diagnosed in other states and countries,” said Mary Alice Serafini, health center director.

Signs and symptoms of the flu are:

• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• body aches
• headache
• chills
• fatigue

Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

According to officials at the CDC, try to avoid close contact with sick people, as influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

If you get sick, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Visit the Pat Walker Health Center Web site at http://health.uark.edu, or the CDC Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ for more information.