H1N1 virus moves closer

The swine flu outbreak is moving closer to Bourbon County.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported Wednesday that cases of the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus, which is also referred to as swine flu, has been confirmed in an adult in Crawford County and a child in Miami County. These are the first cases identified in both counties.

Local health departments are following the guidance provided by KDHE when dealing with a confirmed case. This includes a thorough case investigation and management of the patient and close contacts.

As of Wednesday, KDHE has identified 132 confirmed cases of the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus in 25 Kansas counties. The global outbreak began in April in Mexico.

Symptoms of the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus include fever greater than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting. Anyone who experiences any of these symptoms should contact their health provider, who will determine whether testing or treatment is needed. There is currently no vaccine available to protect against the virus, but there are effective treatments available once the infection is diagnosed.

The virus is not transmitted by food. People cannot get the virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe.

The World Health Organization officially declared the outbreak to be a pandemic on June 11 as a result of the global spread of the virus. As of early June, the flu had been reported in 90 countries, mostly in the Northern Hemisphere, with the United States reporting the most cases -- more than 18,000, including at least 90 deaths, according to the WHO.