The first two cases of H1N1 (commonly called the swine flu) in the county were confirmed by the state last week.
Based on what has been happening in other counties, it wouldn’t be a surprise if more local cases are reported, said Cathy Brem, preparedness coordinator for the Bell County Health District. However, as school comes to an end and summer arrives, it’s likely the incidence of H1N1 flu cases will decline.
Dr. David Lakey, Texas Department of State Health Services commissioner, is urging students and their parents to continue to take precautions to reduce the risk of spreading H1N1 flu despite the end of the school year.
The virus continues to circulate. Everyone needs to continue to take those personal steps to keep from getting or spreading H1N1 flu which include:
Stay home if you have influenza-like symptoms or other symptoms of respiratory illness.
Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or into a tissue and properly dispose of the tissue.
Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to reduce the risk that germs on your fingers enter your body.
Symptoms of H1N1 flu usually include high fever with a cough, sore throat or both. Some with H1N1 flu reported extreme tiredness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Staff in child-care centers, which will be taking in additional children during the summer, should make sure children follow precautions to reduce the risk of spreading the flu.
As of Tuesday, there had been 1,499 confirmed and 192 probable H1N1 flu cases in Texas.
