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More cases of influenza in Ohio from contact with swine
Story Date: 8/10/2012
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Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 8/9/12
The Ohio Department of Health announced 15 additional cases of Influenza A variant H3N2 have been confirmed in Ohio, bringing the state total to 30. All of the infected individuals had direct conact with swine at fairs.
No human-to-human passage of the virus has been confirmed.
Those with confirmed cases of H3N2v are between the ages of 6 months and 36 years old. To date, one of the confirmed cases was hospitalized as a precaution, but that person has since been treated and released.
"There has been a tremendous increase in surveillance across the state," said Dr. Ted Wymyslo, director of the Ohio Department of Health. "We are not surprised by this increase in confirmed cases. We are also aware the flu viruses are not uncommon in swine. Even as we identify addditional illnesses, this strain appears to remain mild and does not seem to be any more severe than what we see during most flu seasons."
The Ohio Department of Agriculture is contacting each upcoming fair veterinarian and instructing them to post signage for both the exhibitors and for the visiting public, to close monitor swine health and to take temperatures of any ill swine and notify ODA immediately of the results.
The agency will continue to swab and test animals as needed throughout the fair season.
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