Doyle declares public health emergency
MADISON (AP) — Gov. Jim Doyle declared a public health emergency Thursday after two more probable cases of swine flu were identified, bringing the state’s total to five.
The declaration directs the state health department to take all necessary steps to prevent and respond to flu cases and distribute anti-viral stockpiles, among other things. It also authorizes the state adjutant general to use the Wisconsin National Guard to help in the state’s response.
The new cases were in Sheboygan and Ozaukee counties, the state health department reported. Two probable cases in Milwaukee County and one in Adams County were announced previously.
No cases have been confirmed yet in Wisconsin. The state has submitted 228 suspected cases for testing. Results are pending on 41, and 182 have been ruled negative.
The governor’s declaration came as Milwaukee officials were taking steps to slow the spread of the virus there. One Catholic and four public schools were closed Thursday. A social services agency canceled a weekend Cinco de Mayo festival expected to draw 11,000 people.
Three public elementaries and one high school remained closed indefinitely. The Milwaukee Health Department closed them Wednesday after a number of children showed symptoms consistent with swine flu.
St. Anthony School officials closed its two campuses Thursday and said they would remain closed Friday as a precaution. No probable or confirmed cases of the swine flu had been associated with the parochial school, which has about 1,050 students.
Sixth-grade teacher Dave Marsicek spent the day in an empty classroom grading papers and preparing lesson plans. Half of his 32 students didn’t show up Thursday morning, and he said the rest understood why they were sent home.
“I think they knew what was going on,” Marsicek said. “We didn’t need to have a discussion.”
A 40-year-old Adams County man suspected of having swine flu was exposed to the virus when he traveled to San Diego last week, health officials said Thursday. He has been isolated and appears to be recovering, said Sue Kunferman, director of the Wood County Health Department. She commented because the man lives near the border of Adams and Wood counties.
Apr 30, 2009 at 11:06 p.m.
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Just what we need. Something else to worry about. As a mom of little ones the fear of illnesses just keep getting worse and worse. I agree with all precautions made. It is much better to be healthy and miss a few days of school then to be sick and possibly miss the rest of school. I keep my children home from school when they are coughing or sneezing, both for the respect of the other children and staff as well as for my little peanut. Who wants to be anywhere but home when they are sick anyway?? I am HOPING we are over reacting. And in a few weeks we can snicker at this like the duct tape and generators.....
Apr 30, 2009 at 10:05 p.m.
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probable and prevention or not caring and dead? your call, but i prefer probable and prevention.
Apr 30, 2009 at 9:57 p.m.
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Doyle's health tax = 5 cents on every tissue.
Apr 30, 2009 at 8:39 p.m.
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what's worse,global warming or global sneezing and wheezing.
Apr 30, 2009 at 7:26 p.m.
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So what tax is doyle going to increase to pay for this declaration. I mean the guy cant speak without raising some tax.
Apr 30, 2009 at 6:55 p.m.
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Hey this isn't like that time the government told me to buy plastic wrap and duct tape is it?
Apr 30, 2009 at 6:10 p.m.
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Probable is diagnosed at the local level and is 99.9% sure. Confirmed comes from the CDC.
Apr 30, 2009 at 5:32 p.m.
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Yes. With disease, prevention is better than treatment. Or so I've heard.
Apr 30, 2009 at 5:01 p.m.
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We have probable cases, not confirmed cases. I suppose it's just a matter of time, though. I was going to make a comment about how silly it is to jump the gun, but I suppose an ounce of prevention...
Apr 30, 2009 at 5 p.m.
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WAG THE DOG.
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