Swine flu update for Austin/Travis County as of May 8th
Swine flu update for Austin/Travis County as of May 8th
Written by Community Impact Newspaper Staff Friday, 08 May 2009
Local healthcare providers continue to provide updates on positive Influenza A tests. Please note that a positive Influenza A test does not reflect a “confirmed” case. It means that the sample is forwarded for further testing and typing. Total number of positive tests for Influenza A are as follows:| Network | As of Past 24 Hours | Cumulative Total for Event |
| Seton Family of Hospitals | 2 | 52 |
| St. David’s HealthCare | 1 | 46 |
| Austin Regional Clinic | no data provided | no data provided |
| Scott + White Healthcare | no data provided | no data provided |
| * ARC has received results from the state on one of these cases, and it tested as seasonal flu. | ||
Local hospitals continue to note a decrease in the number of cases with influenza-like illness.
Residents exhibiting fever and other symptoms should contact their primary care provider first before going to an emergency room for evaluation and treatment.
- At the time of this report, Austin/Travis County had two confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) and seven probable cases.
- Austin School District officials re-opened Lucy Read Pre-Kindergarten Demonstration School. AISD also lifted its ban on field trips. The Austin School District has activated a telephone hotline, 414-9967, for parents who have questions about school operations during the current outbreak. Information is also available at www.austinisd.org. Parents who have medical questions may call AISD Health Services at 324-0195 or the Texas Department of State Health Services at 888-777-5320.
- Round Rock ISD has resumed field trips and extracurricular events. Schools will continue to encourage students to practice good hygiene.
- Pflugerville ISD activities, including field trips, campus activities and out of district travel have resumed.
- Timmerman Elementary School in the Pflugerville Independent School District reopened today.
- Williamson County is reporting two probable cases. Both were tested on or around April 27, and both individuals were isolated and treated, and have recovered.
State and CDC labs continue to respond to the surge in flu sample specimens sent in for analyses, and we expect to see more probable and confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1/Swine Flu) in the area over the coming days.
It’s important to note that as these results come back, it isn’t a reflection of new illness. In fact, all of those who have tested positive are undergoing treatment and may have already recovered from the illness.
We continue to monitor activity levels in the area, stress practices that will reduce transmission of the illness and provide information for health care providers and the public.
Every day we learn more about this virus and what we learn will continue to inform the actions we take in response. Our responses will continue to follow state and CDC guidelines for action.
We continue to urge everyone to take steps to protect your health and your family’s health and lessen the spread of this new virus:
- Wash your hands often.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve and not your hands.
- If you feel sick, stay home from work or school and contact your primary care doctor.
- Only go to the emergency room if it is truly an emergency.
