Grant County health officials said Thursday that reports from health care providers and schools confirm there's a swine flu outbreak in the county.
Since Sept. 1, health care facilities have reported 235 people who tested positive for Influenza A, which is a broader category of influenza viruses that includes H1N1, also known as swine flu.
Eighty of those tests came between Sept. 27 and Oct. 3, the Grant County Health District said.
Because the majority of the nationwide Influenza A samples being sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control are confirmed to be swine flu, health officials assume that the flu cases they're seeing now are swine flu.
Five Grant County school districts have reported absentee rates higher than
10 percent, with some nearing 20 percent of students out sick.
Health and school officials are asking parents to keep sick children home and not send them to school until 24 hours after a fever has passed without the use of fever-reducing medications.
The health district expects to vaccinate children on-site at schools once the swine flu shot is available.
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Grant County health officials reported Friday that flu season officially has arrived.
The county’s health district has received 13 reports of positive influenza lab tests, and believe that may indicate a wider spread flu outbreak.
“While 13 positive tests may not seem like many, health care providers are not required to report all positive flu tests,” said Shawta Sackett, community public health manager and epidemiologist. “Not every patient who is seen in a clinic for flu will be tested and we know many people do not visit their health care provider when they are sick with the flu.”
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As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, most people are thinking about Halloween costumes or getting a leg up on their Christmas shopping.
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Grant County investigates stomach illness outbreak
Grant County investigates stomach illness outbreak
Grant County Health District officials are investigating cases of stomach illness in several Grant County residents who attended a recent cheerleading event in Everett.
An outbreak of an intestinal illness was reported at a cheerleading competition in Everett over the weekend. The source of the illness is unknown.
The district has interviewed event participants and is asking people who attended the event and are currently experiencing vomiting and/or diarrhea to call the district at 509-754-6060.
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