Flu cases confirmed in Va.; precautions urged at colleges

RICHMOND

State health officials are asking college and university presidents to warn students about swine flu after two cases were confirmed in Virginia.

Health Commissioner Karen Remley says the state is asking the schools to review their plans for responding to outbreaks and to make sure students know how to prevent the flu and recognize if they have it.

Neither of the confirmed cases is a student. But tonight, the Virginia Department of Health reported that they have two probable cases of swine flu at Washington and Lee University in Lexington. Both students had mild illnesses, but were treated early and are recovering.

The two students had not traveled out of the country, the news release said, but both had recently visited other states. None of those states has confirmed cases.

Because young adults travel more and tend to be more social, officials wanted to make sure they are aware of the disease.

Officials say a man in the Three Rivers health district, which covers the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck, and a woman in the Chesterfield district had mild cases of swine flu. Both of the infected individuals had traveled to Mexico.

At a press conference Friday, health officials said the confirmed cases are not connected to any Virginia schools, but noted they have been in contact with educational institutions as they continue to respond to the discovery of the potentially deadly strain of influenza in Virginia.

“What I am doing is working with our Secretary of Education to reach out to all the colleges and universities and schools in the system,” Remley said. “We are working to provide the most up to date guidance and to ensure their leadership as these schools as these schools need to make decisions about the welfare of their student bodies.”

Decisions to shutter schools in the event of a confirmed outbreak would be made by local and state school officials in consultation with state health experts, explained Charles Pyle, spokesman for the state Education Department.

The latest recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is that schools be closed for a minimum of 14 days if a confirmed case of swine flu is identified and that all school-related activities be temporarily suspended.

At this point, state health officials have only confirmed two cases. They did not offer specifics when asked earlier if there are additional suspected cases of swine flu in Virginia that have not yet been confirmed.

Swine flu is a respiratory illness found among pigs.

Dr. Diane Helentjaris, Virginia’s acting epidemiologist, said the current strain has not been seen before in animals or humans.

Virginia is one of 19 states in which a combined 141 swine flu cases have been confirmed. There has been one recorded swine flu death during the current outbreak.

Virginia declared a state health emergency Monday to coordinate its response and to receive additional antiviral medication kits from the CDC.

Officials continue to urge individuals to take common sense steps to avoid illness, such as frequent hand washing. People who think they may be ill are advised to avoid contact with other to reduce the potential for spreading sickness and to seek medical care. 

On Thursday, North Carolina’s state health director said there were two probable cases of swine flu there. Dr. Jeffrey Engel said the probable cases came from Onslow and Wake counties. Specimens from those cases have been sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which could confirm the cases in the coming days.

“We’re in for a marathon here,” Engel said.

More cases are likely to be found in Virginia, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said Thursday. “We don’t know how many. We don’t know over what period of time that may manifest itself. But as we’ve looked at what’s happening in Virginia and in other states as well, we would expect that,” Kaine said.

Virginian-Pilot staff writer Lauren King and The Associated Press contributed to this report.