No cases of swine flu have been recorded in Utah to date, but preparations are being made across the state in case of an outbreak.
Sixty-four cases of the strain of influenza have been confirmed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in California, Kansas, Texas, Ohio and New York City. Four cases are also being investigated in Idaho.
Intermountain Medical Center, the largest Trauma 1 center in Utah, and Intermountain Healthcare hospitals in Utah are taking various precautions to prevent and treat any cases that may come to the state.
An Intermountain Medical Center press release said hospitals including LDS Hospital, The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital, Alta View Hospital and St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City are advising patients who come to hospitals to wear masks if they have symptoms of respiratory illnesses, including coughing.
“Visitors who may have a cough or other respiratory illnesses and who are planning on visiting loved ones in the hospital are being asked to stay away,” according to the press release.
Utah is also gathering about 60,000 doses of anti-viral medication, including Tamiflu and Relenza, which have been successful in treating swine flu virus symptoms, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
“There certainly is no reason to panic. However, in following federal and state recommendations we are taking all precautions necessary to keep our patients and staff as protected as possible,” said William Hamilton, medical director of Intermountain Medical Center, in a statement.
BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins said the school is taking preventative measures. Some students planning to go to Mexico for research projects this summer have canceled their trips, and study abroad programs scheduled for late May could possibly be canceled as well.
Jenkins advised students to exercise caution to prevent infection.
“We ask people to be cautious and careful and follow the guidelines that have been issued,” she said.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is also taking precautions in Mexico.
Missionaries are safe but church authorities have canceled all meetings until further notice, The Salt Lake Tribune reported on Monday.
Some tips the American Red Cross gives in a news release to avoid infection include: washing your hands frequently with soap and water or using hand sanitizer, covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough, avoiding touching your mouth, eyes or nose and keeping a minimum distance of three feet from sick people.
Swine flu can be transferred from pigs to humans, but recently most cases of the flu are suspected to be transferred from human to human. The Red Cross also said swine flu cannot be caught by eating pork.
samshirley@byu.net
Copyright Brigham Young University 28 Apr 2009
