CDC Tests 2 Probable, 2 Suspected Swine Flu Cases

CENTRAL OHIO -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed a total of 109 cases and 1 death in the United States.

Click here for NBC 4's up-to-date swine flu FAQ page. It has everything you need and should know about the infectious disease, including hotlines, symptoms, related Web sites and much more.

There are 50 confirmed cases in New York, 26 in Texas, 14 in California, 10 in South Carolina, two in Kansas, two in Massachusetts, one in Michigan, one in Ohio, one in Arizona and one in Nevada

The Obama administration said all Americans should avoid unnecessary air travel to and from Mexico and to avoid airplanes and public transit if you're ill.

NBC 4's Matt Alvarez took a trip to Port Columbus to talk to travelers about whether they are concerned about H1N1 and what precautions -- if any -- they're taking.

TRAVEL AND PORT COLUMBUS
"I'm really conscience of it. I'm flying to San Antonio next week. That's where some of the first outbreaks were. Even the hotels. Wherever I'm in common areas," Florida resident Bob Adams said.

Other passengers weren't buying into the big risk of traveling within the United States.

"We're around all these people right now. You drive your car. You're around people, where people have been," North Carolina resident Eric Ballard said.

"My dad is a physician. There's different types of viruses and flues. I mean, overall I'm healthy. I'm not too worried about it," Johnstown resident Kelly Vargo said.

FRANKLIN COUNTY
There are two probable cases of swine flu or the H1N1 virus in Franklin County and two more suspected cases in Ross County.

NBC 4's Matt Alvarez reported on the latest information on Central Ohio's suspected and probable cases.

Health officials said there are three steps to confirming a case of swine flu: The first step is considered suspected. The second step is probable, and the third step is confirmed.

"Confirmed" mean a patient has total confirmation of the H1N1 virus.

Franklin County health officials said the CDC is testing two probable cases for the county.

One of the Franklin County probable cases involves an adult female.

The other Franklin County probable case involves an employee of the Ohio State University Medical Center. The male employee reportedly contracted the virus outside the workplace.

Anyone who was believed to have had contact with the employee was being notified and interviewed, according to the medical center.

Local health officials also said four to five suspected cases remain under investigation.

Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long said during a Wednesday news conference that the situation is evolving and Central Ohio may see more cases and more investigations in the coming days.

Mayor Michael Coleman said behaviors may need to change. He suggested people refrain from shaking hands and bump fists instead.

"Our tradition of shaking hands is something that we need to not do right now," Coleman said at the news conference.

Both tests were originally sent to the Ohio Department of Health laboratory in Reynoldsburg. There, the determination will be made to send samples to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.

Health officials said it's important to put the virus in perspective. Seasonal flu kills 36,000 people each year in the U.S. and so far, there has only been one death from H1N1.

ROSS COUNTY
The CDC is testing two suspected swine flu cases in Ross County.

The two patients were released from the hospital and were on self-quarantine at home.

Health officials said one of the patients recently traveled to Mexico and the second recently went to Texas.

Health District spokesperson Rami Yoakum couldn't tell NBC 4 exactly where the residents live.

"The people who need to know, they know. But it's not something we want to push out there. There's enough panic that's being created by the media frenzy that's going on."

"I was concerned, but I'm just going to wait for the results to come," Ross County resident Michael Tisdale said.

"I think it's just kind of making its way around everywhere, and you can just take the precautions they've suggested," resident Tricia Crawford said.

Resident Jennifer Mikus said she tries not to get excited about things like this.

The CDC could release possible confirmation on the Ross County cases Thursday.

PROTECT YOURSELF
How should you protect yourself?

Health officials said surgical masks offer minimal protection. The virus can pass through a mask.

Wash your hands, and give your children easy-to-use alcohol-based anti-bacterial wipes, such as Purell wipes, or soap.

Lab tests show the new strain of swine flu can be treated with anti-flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza.

The federal government started shipping out the first supplies of Tamiflu from the federal stockpile.

All states were due to get their share by Sunday, May 3.

For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
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