Ventura, CA. - The Ventura County Health Care Agency and the Public Health Department announced late today that it has identified two probable cases of swine flu in Ventura County. The Public Health Laboratory identified the two positive results early Wednesday evening. These are the first cases of swine flu to be identified in this county. Elsewhere in California, 14 cases have been confirmed as well as another 28 probable cases. Swine flu has now affected 91 people in the United States.

According to Dr. Robert Levin, Public Health Officer for Ventura County, these cases are not entirely unexpected, as the Public Health Department has been aggressively seeking out potential cases since the swine flu outbreak was first made public last week. The Public Health Department has been diligently practicing surveillance on patients treated throughout the county with flu-like symptoms, especially those who have had recent travel to or from Mexico.

“This is not a surprise that we would identify swine flu in our county,” said Dr. Levin. “We’ve been expecting it. But it’s not a time for panic, either. We have an adequate supply of Tamiflu available for these patients and are well-prepared to care for them as well as any potential patients who may be in our community.”
This is what is known about the cases identified today in Ventura County:
• An elementary school child from Oxnard became ill at school and was brought to a local emergency room. He has not been hospitalized and is recovering without treatment.
• A middle school child from Oxnard as well, who was seen in a local clinic, was treated with Tamiflu and is also recovering.

In order to minimize the spread of disease, the county health officer asked the superintendent of the two involved schools, Art Haycox Elementary School and Charles Blackstock Junior High School, to close down for approximately one week beginning the April 30. Health officials are asking that any children who attend these schools who develop a fever and flu-like symptoms should see their physician. Also, while these children are out of school, they should avoid group activities.

County health officials today activated the JIC (Joint Information Center) to coordinate information that will be sent to area school districts and community members. Residents are encouraged to use good health habits, such as frequent hand washing, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, coughing and sneezing into the crook of their arms or into their shoulders, using and then disposing of Kleenex, and staying home from school or work if they are ill.

The county’s Department of Public Health will continue to monitor reports of patients treated throughout the county and will make information available regarding any additional cases of swine flu.

People suffering from flu-like symptoms should seek medical care from their regular health care provider and should stay at home if they are feeling ill to prevent the spread of any illness. Those who feel ill but cannot afford to see a health care provider are encouraged to seek treatment at any county clinic for low, or no cost treatment.

The national Center for Disease Control has advised against any non-essential travel to Mexico, where the swine flu is believed to have originated. Anyone returning from recent travel to any county or country with reported cases of swine flu should monitor their health for 7 days and seek immediate medical attention if they develop a fever along with flu-like symptoms, including cough, sore throat, loss of appetite, fever and fatigue.

For more information about swine flu and the county’s response to this serious health threat, visit the public health website at www.vchca.org/ph. For additional information please call Sheila Murphy at 805-677-5274 or 805-637-4955.