State health officials have confirmed six additional cases of variant influenza A, bringing the total case number to 11 statewide. All cases have been linked to swine.
The Indiana State Department of Health and local health departments are continuing to investigate potential new cases.
The additional cases were identified in Tipton, Jennings, and LaPorte counties. Jackson County has also experienced four cases.
”We haven’t seen any transmission from person to person at this point,” State Health Commissioner Gregory Larkin, M.D., said in a press release. “All of the confirmed cases have had direct contact with swine. As Hoosiers visit fairs around the state this summer, they should take extra care to practice thorough hand washing and avoid eating when around animals.”
Flu symptoms usually include fever and respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms such as body aches, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea. Symptoms usually last about two to five days.
Variant Influenza A virus can be directly transmitted from swine to people and from people to swine. Human infections are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to live infected pigs, such as working with them in barns and livestock exhibits at fairs. Influenza viruses are not transmitted by eating pork and pork products.
While influenza is not an uncommon diagnosis in pigs, the State Board of Animal Health encourages swine owners to contact a veterinarian if their animals show signs consistent with flu, including coughing, respiratory illness, off-feed and fever. Most county fairs have a private veterinary practitioner on call for on-site assistance.
Hoosiers are encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water before and after petting or touching any animal. They should also never eat, drink, or put anything in their mouths when visiting animal areas. Older adults, pregnant women, young children, and people with weakened immune systems should be extra careful around animals.
More information regarding influenza can be found at the Indiana State Department of Health website at www.in.gov/isdh/25462.htm.
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