Marion, Marshall, and Delaware counties have now joined 20 previously-identified counties in which cases of variant influenza A virus have been confirmed, but the total number of identified cases remains at 138. The Indiana State Department of Health says they recently found some duplicates in the samples submitted to the State Laboratory, and they have adjusted the number of cases confirmed in some counties.
A call center has been established to answer the general public’s questions regarding the virus, and is open from 8:15 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday at (877) 826-0011.
Symptoms of the flu usually include fever and respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and runny nose. Other symptoms can include body aches, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea, with symptoms lasting anywhere from three to eight days.
To avoid influenza or other infections, Hoosiers are reminded to wash hands frequently; never eat, drink, or put anything in your mouth when visiting areas frequented by animals; cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow; and avoid those who are ill.
While health officials have not yet determined person-to-person transmission, they are still investigating the possibility. Officials say the virus can be directly transmitted from swine to people and vice-versa, and they say human infections are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to live infected pigs. The virus is not spread by eating pork and pork products.
