First cases reported in Mother Lode

A Vallecito toddler and an Amador County adult resident have been identified as having had probable cases of swine flu, according to health officials.

Calaveras County Health Officer Dr. Dean Kelaita announced in a Monday press release the 2-year-old was not hospitalized and has fully recovered. No other cases have been identified in the county.

The county Public Health Department is still in the process of gathering information about the case but preliminary indications show the girl first experienced symptoms April 21 after contact with a person who recently traveled to Mexico, Kelaita said.

She was seen by a local medical provider soon after experiencing symptoms, Kelaita said. She is too young for school or preschool, so no infection-related closures were required.

The county health department learned over the weekend of the possible case and confirmation of the infection from a state lab is expected within a few days. Likelihood of a confirmation of the virus is about 95 percent, Kelaita said.

Amador County Health Officer Dr. Robert Hartmann confirmed Sunday that one adult Amador County resident had been reported as a probable positive H1N1 influenza case. The resident recently returned from Mexico and exhibited flu-like symptoms the following day.

 “This individual contacted Amador County Public Health the day after returning from Mexico and followed specific Health Department advice,” Hartmann said in a news release. “Voluntary home isolation was followed ensuring minimal local contact.”

Any contacts are interviewed by Amador County Public Health and followed up for symptoms, according to the department. To date, no additional flu-like symptoms have been reported by any of the contacts.

Hartmann also said that the case is mild, the person is doing “OK at this point,” and that they did not need to be hospitalized.

As of Sunday, there were 29 confirmed and 130 probable cases in California. Eight of the people in these cases were hospitalized.

Cases identified in the United States to date have experienced mostly mild illness. One death in Texas has been reported. Public health officials are continuing to detect more cases. Concerns remain that more serious illnesses could occur.

The Calaveras County Public Health Department is working with local doctors and clinics to detect and respond to any local cases, Kelaita said.

Flu is generally spread by direct contact with germs from an infected person, from either uncovered coughs or sneezes or by touching something the infected person has handled. The symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu. This includes fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people with swine flu have also reported diarrhea and vomiting.

“Children should stay home from school or daycare, and adults should stay home from work if they have flu-like symptoms,” Kelaita said. Persons with fever, and cough or sore throat, should stay home seven days after the illness started or until all symptoms are gone. Travel should be limited to medical care. People who have flu-like symptoms and recently traveled to Mexico should call their doctor for advice.

“It is important to take simple and effective prevention steps in addition to staying home when ill,” said Kelaita.

“Hand washing for 20 to 30 seconds with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner should be done frequently at home, school and work.” added Kelaita.

People should use a tissue to cover their nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, or use your elbow or sleeve if you do not have a tissue, Kelaita advised.
 

Kelaita encourages residents to listen to news reports and check the county Web site at www.co.calaveras.ca.us or the state Web site at www. cdph
.ca.gov for up-to-date information.