The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) today announced additional confirmed cases of Influenza A H3N2v, bringing the total number of cases statewide to 98. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) points out that the virus does not spread easily from person-to-person but limited human-to-human infection has occurred.
|
County of Residence |
Number of Confirmed H3N2v Cases |
|
Ashland |
1 |
|
Athens |
8 |
|
Butler |
17 |
|
Champaign |
15 |
|
Clark |
3 |
|
Fairfield |
1 |
|
Franklin |
4 |
|
Gallia |
11 |
|
Greene |
6 |
|
Hamilton |
3 |
|
Henry |
5 |
|
Huron |
3 |
|
Jackson |
1 |
|
Licking |
2 |
|
Medina |
1 |
|
Monroe |
2 |
|
Montgomery |
2 |
|
Morrow |
1 |
|
Preble |
1 |
|
Richland |
2 |
|
Ross |
7 |
|
Union |
1 |
|
Warren |
1 |
Those with confirmed cases of H3N2v are between the ages of 6 months and 51 years old. To date, several of the confirmed cases in Ohio were hospitalized, but they have since been treated and released.
At this time, surveillance indicates that the individuals most likely became ill with the flu virus after exposure to swine. Therefore, the CDC recommends that at-risk individuals (children younger than 5 years old, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic conditions such as asthma and other lung diseases, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune system, and neurologic or neurodevelopmental disorders) should avoid exposure to pigs and swine barns during this fair season.
With county fairs running into the first week of October, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) and ODH remind residents and visitors that fair attendance is safe. Those attending the fair should remember:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and running water before and after exposure to animals.
- Never eat, drink or put things in your mouth in animal areas, and don’t take food or drink into animal areas
- Leave baby strollers parked outside of areas with pigs
- Young children, pregnant women, people 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems should be extra careful around animals.
- If you have animals – including swine – watch them for signs of illness and call a veterinarian if you suspect they might be sick.
- Avoid close contact with animals that look or act ill, when possible.
- Avoid contact with swine if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
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