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No swine flu cases in Walworth County

ELKHORN — As of Friday, Walworth County has not reported any probable cases of swine flu, Health Officer Pat Grove said.

Test results are pending for one person who is sick with flu-like symptoms and meets the travel criteria set by the Center for Disease Control for Swine Flu testing, Grove said.

The county has set its pandemic flu plan in motion, although the county has not started up an incident command, Grove said.

The county is monitoring attendance levels at the 52 schools that serve kindergarten through 12th grades, Grove said. No schools have had jumps in absenteeism, she said.

The county has sent up a 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-365-1587. Press “0” to reach an operator.

While the situation is serious, Grove encourages people to stay calm. This is the time of year for seasonal influenza, so don’t panic if you get sick, she said.

“Any of us who have just been working all week and at our desks, it could be seasonal influenza,” Grove said.

Grove’s recommendations:

-- Know the symptoms of Swine Flu. They include fevers over 100 degrees and coughs or runny noses, she said. The time between exposure and illness is quick: 48 to 72 hours.

-- If you do get the flu, take good care of yourself at home first. Rest, drink a lot of fluids, treat your symptoms with over-the-counter medications and keep yourself isolated.

-- If your fever is high for more than two days, call a doctor. Do not go to the emergency room. Health care professionals will need to set up protections before seeing you.

-- As in any flu season—or any time of year—protect yourself and others by washing your hands often. Cover your cough and throw away facial tissues when you use them.

-- It is safe to eat pork.