Va. calls in resources, though no swine flu cases seen

No swine flu cases have been reported in humans in Virginia, but health providers throughout Hampton Roads and the state are on high alert.

State Health Commissioner Karen Remley declared a public health emergency on Monday, which allows Virginia to receive an additional 280,000 courses of antiviral medication from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to add to Virginia's stockpile of 770,000 courses.

Also, Norfolk-based Operation Smile postponed a medical mission to Mexico.

Remley's declaration clears the way for public health officials to move quickly if cases arise. Her action followed an alert she sent Friday to health care providers across the state to maintain a "high index of suspicion" in cases involving flu-like symptoms.

Chesapeake Health Director Nancy Welch said local health directors have had conference calls with the state health department and one another since Friday to coordinate efforts to keep the public informed.

Health officials are consulting with local physicians on which flu cases need testing, and also are distributing information to the public about swine flu, a contagious respiratory disease of pigs that can also strike humans. Symptoms are similar to regular flu: fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches. Some people also experience vomiting, diarrhea, headache, chills and fatigue.

But people with such symptoms don't need to be tested unless they have had contact within seven days with people from places where confirmed cases have been reported: Mexico, Canada, Europe and the states of California, Texas, Kansas, New York and Ohio. People who suspect they might have a case of swine flu, because of symptoms and exposure to others with confirmed cases, should call their health provider first.

Forty-eight cases have been reported in this country, according to the CDC. So far, the cases in the United States have been milder than those in Mexico, where an estimated 2,000 cases have been reported, and a suspected 149 deaths.

Since there have been no cases reported in Virginia, the advice is similar to that given during a typical flu season: People are encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly and often. Businesses and schools should send people home if they are sick. People should avoid contact with those who are sick, and also maintain good general health. People who have flu-like symptoms should stay home, cover their mouths and noses with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

"I look at this as an opportunity to focus on changing habits of the public so we can better protect ourselves," Welch said. "We're encouraging a monk-like attention to washing your hands."

Operation Smile spokeswoman Amy Kelly said the international children's charity decided Monday to postpone its 30-person trip to Colima, Mexico, scheduled for May 10, after conferring with health officials in Mexico.

The organization will reschedule the mission when health officials deem it advisable.

Dr. Bruce Britton, a family physician at Portsmouth Family Medicine, said so far people are asking questions but not coming in specifically with concerns about swine flu.

"We're seeing the usual load of patients," said Britton, whose clinic belongs to Eastern Virginia Medical School's Health Services system. "People are asking questions, but I'm not hearing panic, and that's good."

He said people who do suspect they might have swine flu, because of both symptoms and contact with people who have had a confirmed case, should call their doctor for advice.

Local hospitals also are keeping an eye on the situation. Sentara spokeswoman Becky Lawson said that hospital system has been reviewing its emergency management plan, checking medication levels and infection prevention supplies, such as tissues, masks and handwashing solution.

Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, Bon Secours Hampton Roads and Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters also were educating staff members and tracking CDC information.

Public health officials across the state and country have been working for years now on pandemic flu preparation so some of this week's work is a review of plans already in place.

Welch advises people to track the latest information through the CDC Web site because "the situation is very fluid, very dynamic, and a lot changes from half day to half day," Welch said.

 Pilot writer Julian Walker contributed to this report.

Elizabeth Simpson, (757) 446-2635, elizabeth.simpson@pilotonline.com