The Kane County Department of Public Health released this information today on the Swine Flu:

The Kane County Health Department is closely monitoring the development of swine influenza cases in the U.S. and Mexico. Staff from our Division of Health Protection has been in contact with our partners at the local, state and federal levels throughout the weekend. At this time, there are no known suspected or identified cases of swine flu in Kane County or in the state of Illinois.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans; however, human infections with swine flu do occur. Public health officials have determined that this strain of swine flu virus spreads from human to human and can cause illness.

“During the normal seasonal flu season, the health department actively seeks reports of flu-like illness from hospitals, laboratories and schools, as well as absenteeism from schools, across Kane County. While the normal seasonal flu season ends this week, we will be continuing these activities until the threat of swine flu has passed,” Executive Director Paul Kuehnert said.

The Health Department will be actively providing the latest information on the swine flu outbreak to Kane County health care and social service providers, school, municipal and county officials, as well as the media, to assure that Kane County residents have accurate, timely information about the outbreak and how to protect themselves.

See our website, www.kanehealth.com for the latest information. There is also a link on the KCHD website to the CDC’s flu information page — http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

At this time, the most important measures one can take to prevent infection is thorough, frequent handwashing; covering coughs and sneezes; and staying home from work or school when ill.  In addition, people entering the United States who are experiencing symptoms consistent with swine flu and have traveled to an affected area (see http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm for affected areas), or have been exposed to someone possibly infected with swine flu, during the last 7 days should report their illnesses to their health care provider immediately and inform them of their recent travel.

People traveling from the United States to affected areas should be aware of the risk of illness with swine flu and take precautions.

The CDC also has answers to frequently asked questions posted on its website at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm.