Three probable cases of swine influenza A (H1N1), also known as swine flu, were identified Wednesday in King County. The laboratory samples have been sent to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Public Health – Seattle & King County is awaiting final confirmation.

The CDC has determined that the swine flu virus H1N1 is contagious and is spreading from human to human. Symptoms of swine flu include a fever of more than 100°F, coughing, joint aches, severe headache and, in some cases, vomiting and diarrhea, according to a health department press release.

“Now that swine flu is likely in King County, we expect to see more infections, but it’s too early to say how severe the illnesses will be. We are working to provide needed information and assistance to these people and their families. We are also working with health care providers and community partners to prepare in the event that the situation becomes more serious,” said Dr. David Fleming, director and health officer for Public Health – Seattle and King County.

“We’ve prepared for this day for the past four years, and now we must all do our part to reduce its spread,” said Ron Sims, King County executive. “We encourage everyone to get prepared at home, find out about plans at your job, and take steps to protect yourself, your family and the community by staying home when you are sick, washing your hands often and covering your coughs and sneezes.”

“In the last few years, Seattle has prepared for pandemic flu. We will activate our Emergency Operations Center at the first level so our emergency operations personnel can coordinate procedures and communications,” said Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels.

As of Wednesday, there are three probable cases of swine flu in King County, in addition to two cases in Snohomish County and one case in Spokane County.

The three King County residents with probable swine flu include:

– male child of Seattle who was hospitalized and is improving

– male in his 20s from Seattle, not hospitalized and improving

– woman in her 30s from Seattle, not hospitalized and improving

Other sources of information:

• the state Department of Health

• the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) has received several inquiries related to the swine influenza and its potential impact on school events, according to an association press release on Thursday.

The WIAA staff is communicating with the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and will administer necessary updates as the situation continues to develop.

The WIAA is committed to the safety and health of all involved in WIAA athletics and activities and will respond appropriately regarding the scheduling of events, according to the press release.

Fleming said a framework already laid out by the King County Council for the county’s comprehensive planning for pandemic flu will provide effective guidance and that the current response will provide useful lessons for updating the plan.

The council in 2007 adopted the Pandemic Flu Preparedness Plan that recognizes:

• the county’s role in regional public health and emergency management response.

• the county’s duty as both a regional service provider and a local service provider for continued provision of police and paramedics, bus service, wastewater treatment and other public services in the event of a pandemic flu, and

• the county’s duty as a large employer to ensure that its own workplaces help prevent the spread of pandemic flu.

Public Health also offers the following advice:

When should I seek medical care?

At this time, the health department recommends people use their usual decision-making criteria about when to seek medical care.

• If you are mildly ill with flu-like symptoms and would not ordinarily go to the doctor, do not seek medical care at this time.

• If you are feeling very ill with flu-like symptoms, seek medical care as you would under ordinary circumstances.

• If you recently returned from an area where there are confirmed swine flu cases and feel ill with flu-like symptoms, contact your health care provider.

What is swine flu?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people. The CDC has determined that the current swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

Good opportunity to get prepared at home and work

For more information on the flu and for how to prepare for a possible outbreak in King County, go to flu pandemic.

Staying healthy

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• To further prevent the spread of germs, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

<b<Avoid close contact with sick people

• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

If you get sick with the flu

• If you get sick, Public Health – Seattle & King County strongly recommends that you stay home from work or school so you can get better and keep others from getting sick.

• Also, if you get sick remain at home and avoid contact with others until 7 days after your first symptoms began or until symptoms resolve, whichever is longer.