MANATEE — The Manatee County Health Department reported five new cases of swine flu Wednesday in the county.
Ron Cox, director of disease control for the health department, said all five have been treated by their private doctors and have recovered. “None of the cases were serious,” Cox said.
He said the new cases, which affected people ranging from a 10-month-old to a 48-year-old, brings the total confirmed cases in Manatee County to 10.
None of the recently reported cases appeared to have any relationship to each other. “We know they do not live in the same zip code,” Cox said, “and speaking with them, they indicated they didn’t know anyone with the same conditions.”
According to Cox, the swine flu virus, or H1N1 influenza, continues to be widespread, but has generally been mild.
As of last Friday, the Center for Disease Control reported 1,302 confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus in Florida, with five resulting in death.
Nationwide, the total of cases reported were 33,902, with 170 deaths.
Symptoms of swine flu are similar to seasonal flu, and include fever of 100 degrees or higher, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
Like the seasonal flu, swine flu can aggravate or worsen chronic medical conditions such as asthma.
Cox, an epidemiologist, said people should take common-sense precautions to avoid coming down with the flu.
People are encouraged to cover their mouths with tissue when they cough or sneeze and throw the tissue into the trash when through using it. You also should avoid contact with people who are coughing or appear ill. Washing hands with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, will reduce the spread of all respiratory illnesses.
For more information, go the Web site www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/index.html.
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