Maryland health officials have identified six probable cases of swine flu in the state, Gov. Martin O’Malley said Wednesday, marking the first possible cases of the rapidly spreading disease in the Washington region.
» Fever 100 degrees or higher
» Cough or sore throat
» History of recent travel to an affected area or contact with an ill person who recently traveled to an affected area. Warning signsAdults
» Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
» Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
» Sudden dizziness
» Confusion
» Severe or persistent vomitingChildren
» Fast breathing or troubled breathing
» Bluish or grayish skin color
» Not drinking enough fluids
» Not waking up
» Not interacting
» Irritability
» Fever with a rash
» Flu-like symptoms improve, but return with fever and worse coughIf you think you have swine flu:» Call the doctor
» Wash your hands often
» Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing
» Avoiding touching your nose and mouth
» Use paper tissues to blow your nose; throw tissues away
» Stay away from crowded living and sleeping spaces
» Stay home
» Avoid contact with other peopleSource: Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The announcement was made the same day the World Health Organization raised its alert level to its second-highest notch and said a global pandemic could be imminent.
“It really is all of humanity that is under threat during a pandemic,” said WHO Director General Margaret Chan. “We do not have all the answers right now, but we will get them.”
The flu has spread to at least nine countries, the WHO said.
The Maryland patients, three in Anne Arundel County and three in Baltimore County, have flu-like symptoms and have recently visited Mexico or have come in contact with another person who has. The disease is believed to have originated in Mexico and is confirmed or suspected in at least 159 deaths there.
None of the Maryland individuals, whose identities are being kept confidential by the state, have been hospitalized and all are recovering from their illnesses, O’Malley said. Two of the patients are students.
“This is not a time for alarm, but rather heightened awareness and care for our families, ourselves and each other,” O’Malley said, adding that the state had established a swine flu “command center” on Monday.
The state sent samples from the six people to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing, and the results are expected Thursday.
One case involves a student at Folger McKinsey Elementary School in Severna Park. Another case is a high school student at Milford Mill Academy in Windsor Mill in Baltimore County.
Washington-area schools have been refreshing their plans and procedures since Monday to deal with any swine flu outbreak, and have advised parents to keep sick students at home.
A record number of patients have visited emergency rooms at some local hospitals in recent days, though there had not been a confirmed case in the area as of Wednesday afternoon.
CDC officials said there were at least 91 confirmed cases of swine flu in 10 U.S. states, with the majority of the cases in New York. No U.S. residents have died from the flu, although a Mexican toddler who had traveled with his family to Texas became the first fatality in the U.S.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
