Collin County swine flu update - May 4, 2009

by PegNews wire

As of Monday morning, May 4, 2009, this is the count on Swine Influenza from Collin County’s health authority:

Confirmed Cases: 1

Probable Cases: 3

Schools Closed: 3

Health authorities confirmed the first local case of Swine Flu, a 14-year-old Plano middle school student, after test results were verified by the U.S. Centers of Disease Control last week.

According to Collin County Health Care Services and the Plano Health Authority a student at Wilson Middle School is the only confirmed case of H1N1 Influenza, with two more “probable” cases in the county under investigation by health authorities.

The Plano Independent School District announced Sunday, May 3, that Barron Early Childhood School and Sigler Elementary School will be closed until May 18, due to a few strong probable cases of Influenza A H1N1 virus (swine flu). Wilson Middle School, originally scheduled to be closed until May 11, will also remain closed until May 18.

The two-week closures are based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommendations because children are likely to be infectious for about 7–10 days after the onset of illness.

Residents are advised to take a few preventative measures to protect themselves against this respiratory disease.

Collin County Health Care Services (CCHCS) is working closely with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to provide guidance for the public and health providers.

For Collin County buildings, our Facilities Management staff is taking extra precautions in sanitizing public, employee and common areas to help lessen the spread of Swine Flu Housekeeping personnel will clean all areas with a disinfecting solution several times during the work day, as well after their regular hours routine.

Source: Collin County/Thanks to content partner The Collin County Observer for the tip