AETC officials urge preventative measures in face of swine flu Published April 27, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Lindsey RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Air Education and Training Command leaders urged service members and their families to help prevent the spread of swine flu, as health officials announced new confirmed cases of the disease in the United States today. The first human cases of swine flu in the United States were diagnosed in California in late March. In mid-April, three dependent children of San Antonio area military members were diagnosed. Since then, additional cases have been confirmed in New York, Ohio, Kansas and Mexico. National media reports a few suspect cases in Canada, New Zealand, and several countries in Europe. All overseas cases were linked to recent travel in Mexico. Although the virus is believed to have killed more than 100 in Mexico out of over 1,400 hospitalized, all of the cases in the United States and abroad have been minor out-patient cases, health officials noted. It is unknown if the virus has been less dangerous outside of Mexico. It is suspected that there may not be much difference but that many more cases have occurred in Mexico with only the most severe reported, health officials said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offered the following list of precautions and simple actions to help limit the spread of the virus: -- Frequently wash your hands with soap and warm or hot water, or to use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. -- Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing. -- Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth. -- Avoid close contact with people who are ill. "If you do these things, you'll probably be able to avoid being exposed to the virus," said Lt. Col. Brian Ortman, AETC Surgeon General Public Health Branch Chief. 12th Medical Group officials also advised people at Randolph who are ill to wash their eating utensils and clothing in hot, soapy water with bleach in the solution, and to cover their nose and mouth with a surgical mask or equivalent to prevent the spread of germs. Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of the typical flu, including fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing, but additional symptoms may include a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. People with flu-like symptoms including a temperature of 101 or higher, a sore throat and cough should remain at home and make an appointment with their medical provider, Colonel Ortman said. The colonel encouraged people to remain calm regarding the illness, noting that people who have reported symptoms in the United States, including three local teenagers, have had mild cases of the virus and have fully recovered. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site offers additional details about swine influenza at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.