Swine Flu Update

Updated 4/27/09, provided by Linn County Public Health

Linn County Public Health along with Oregon Public Health Officials are carefully monitoring the swine flu situation. Currently, there are no documented cases in the state of Oregon or Washington. Today at 10:30 am there was a conference call with the state health division for updates on the situation. Oregon State Public Health Acute and Communicable Disease Section will be in contact with local providers and hospitals with the latest information.

The illness caused by this new strain of flu has the same symptoms as illness caused by other strains of flu including fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat and can include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If anyone experiences these symptoms, they are encouraged to contact their physician. They should also mention if they have had recent travel to affected areas such as Southern California, Ohio, Texas, Mexico and Canada.

“When outbreaks happen it can cause anxiety” says Dr. Mel Kohn, state public health officer. As we get more information about this new strain of flu we will be working with our partners across the country and the Centers for Disease Control to address this issue.

There are three important steps we can all take to make sure the flu doesn’t spread:

  1. Protect yourself and others by washing your hands often;
  2. Cover your mouth with something other than your hand when you cough,
  3. If you are sick stay home and call your doctor.

The information on this page was provided by the Linn County Public Health

For additional information about swine flu, you can visit the State of Oregon Public Health and/or CDC websites about swine flu infections in people. They have advised us that the information will be updated daily: