‘Probable' swine flu cases detected

State fears eight have illness, none found in So. Md.

Friday, May 1, 2009

State and local health officials are ramping up efforts to contain the spread of the swine flu virus since eight probable cases surfaced in Maryland this week.

Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene officials announced Wednesday that three probable cases of the virus in Anne Arundel County, four in Baltimore County and one in Montgomery County have been reported and samples have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control for testing.

The Anne Arundel cases involve members of the same family who have no history of foreign travel, although a relative recently returned from an affected area, according to a DHMH press release. Two Baltimore cases involve members of the same family, one of whom recently returned from travel in an affected area.

The third Baltimore case is a resident who traveled out of Maryland to a place that is not considered an affected area, according to the press release.

No cases of swine flu had been reported in Charles County as of Thursday, said Chinnadurai Devadason, health officer for Charles and Queen Anne counties, adding that he expects that some cases might eventually show up in the county.

"It would be no surprise if we have a case here," he said Thursday. "People do travel. We're not an island; we aren't exempt."

Civista Medical Center in La Plata has had a few patients turn up at the emergency room with suspected flu-like symptoms but no cases of swine or seasonal flu have been detected yet, said Linda Kandel, the hospital's director of marketing and planning.

"A few people have come to the emergency room presenting some concern, but they definitely did not have swine flu or seasonal flu," she said Thursday. "The hospital hasn't had a lot of calls about it. So far, so good."

Charles County Department of Health and Civista officials are in frequent contact with state health officials to keep updated on the spread of the ailment, Devadason and Kandel said.

Charles County Public Schools officials are also keeping in close contact with the health department to monitor the spread of the virus, said Katie O'Malley Simpson, system spokeswoman.

Right now, Area school officials are reminding students and parents about ways to stop the spread of germs, including the flu virus, she said, adding that every school has a nurse who has been alerted to report any suspected cases to the health department.

"We're doing a number of things right now," she said. "We're in a mode to try to help stop the spread of the flu."

The school system sent a letter home to parents Thursday that outlines what officials are doing to stop the spread of the virus, Simpson said.

"We're also reminding students about personal hygiene, especially hand washing. At the elementary level we have supervised hand washing," she said.

Simpson said teachers and nurses have also been recommending that kids cover their noses and mouths when coughing or sneezing with either a tissue or their upper sleeve or elbow so that germs will not land on their hands where they can be quickly spread through contact.

In addition, the schools are always cleaned daily with a hospital-approved disinfectant, Simpson said.

School officials are monitoring student attendance and right now there are no firm plans in place to close schools if the virus shows up in Charles County, Simpson said.

"It's too early to say if and when we would close the schools," she said. "We'll follow the advice of the health department."

State health officials are rapidly responding to the report of the first suspected cases of the virus in the state, including establishing a swine flu command center in Baltimore to monitor and respond to any potential cases in Maryland, said Rakhee S. Palekar, DHMH's epidemic intelligence service officer.

"During this time we want Marylanders to know their government is working to protect families by providing the most up-to-date information on cases, prevention tips and contact information," he said in a prepared statement.

Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) announced Thursday that the state has named six people to an advisory board to keep him updated on issues related to the swine flu. The board has already provided advice and recommendations regarding the eight suspected swine flu cases in the state, he said.

"The members of the advisory board represent some of the best minds in medicine, infectious disease and pediatrics and have already provided invaluable advice and guidance," the governor said in a press release.

"While we are making every preparation that we can as a state, the decisions ahead may broadly impact the lives of Marylanders and each member of the advisory board brings scientific, clinical and academic guidance that will be immensely valuable in this decision-making process. We fully expect to see more cases of swine flu in Maryland and we will continue to provide the public with the latest information possible."

On Thursday, there were 91 confirmed cases of swine flu in 10 states, including a case in Texas in which a toddler died from complications of the virus, according to the CDC.

A possible case has also been reported in Washington, D.C., according to officials.

Confirmed cases of the ailment have also been reported in Austria, Canada, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, Spain and the United Kingdom, said CDC officials.

A large outbreak of the virus began in Mexico City last weekend that sickened thousands and resulted in the deaths of 80 people, according to federal health officials.

The World Health Organization was not calling for a restriction on travel or the closure of borders on Thursday, according to the CDC. Health officials advise people who are ill to delay international travel.

nmcconaty@somdnews.com