CDC issues new warning about swine flu - The Capitol Column

This article was updated at 7:54 a.m. EDT with additional information about the swine flu virus strain H3N2v.

The CDC has reported 12 new cases of swine flu virus strain H3N2v in Indiana, Ohio, and Hawaii. These cases come on top of 17 cases of the virus detected since July 2011. The virus contains genes from the H1N1 flu virus, which made headlines as it spread.

Twenty-three of the cases were associated with exposure to swine before the onset of symptoms, and 19 of the cases were associated with exposure to swine while at fairs. All 10 of the cases in Ohio in fact originated at a single fair. The Butler County, Ohio Health Department confirmed that the cases were contracted at the Butler County Fair, and that none of the cases are now hospitalized. The majority of the cases have occurred in children.

Symptoms of H3N2v swine influenza include basic “flu” symptoms, including fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and muscle aches. All cases of the H3N2v virus have recovered, including the three cases that required hospitalization. All of these three hospitalization cases occurred in patients with additional severe conditions.

The CDC speculates that inclusion of the H1N1 gene in the H3N2v virus may contribute to easier transmissibility to humans. The 2009 outbreak of the H1N1 swine influenza virus resulted in over 14,000 deaths worldwide, 12,000 of which were in the United States. Over 59 million cases of H1N1 infection were reported in the United States, and over 256,000 of those required hospitalization.

The CDC recommends several precautions to prevent infection, especially among those in contact with swine and other animals. These precautions include frequent handwashing especially when handling animals, avoiding eating and drinking around animals, and watching animals closely for signs of illness. The CDC additionally recommends that those under 5 years of age, those over the age of 65, and those who are pregnant or who have other major medical conditions should practice special care, as they are greater risk of complications if the contract the flu.

The CDC recommends two antiviral medications, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), which are most effective when taken as soon as flu symptoms begin.

The CDC also notes that there has been no evidence that the flu is transmissible through properly cooked and prepared pork food products. On its website, the CDC advises, “Late summer is typically fair season across the United States, and fairs are a setting that can provide many opportunities for exposures to occur between pigs and people. CDC continues to advise people to take recommended precautions when interacting with pigs or their environments, including frequent hand washing and avoiding contact with pigs that appear ill.”