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Tuesday, Jun. 16, 2009

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3 children sick with swine flu in Quincy

By the Herald staff

QUINCY -- Three children in Grant County have become sick with H1N1 influenza, known as swine flu, health authorities said Monday.

Two 8-year-olds and one 13-month-old tested positive for the virus in Quincy. None of the children has been hospitalized.

The World Health Organization declared a global swine flu pandemic Thursday, meaning a worldwide outbreak had begun.

As of Monday, 76 countries had reported nearly 36,000 cases of the disease, including 163 deaths.

Two people have died from swine flu since April 19 in Washington. A total of 50 have been hospitalized, said the Grant County Health District.

Dr. Alexander Brzezny, Grant County Health Officer, said officials had anticipated seeing swine flu in Grant County and expect more cases in the future.

But for most people, symptoms are mild to moderate, similar to seasonal influenza, he said.

Officials said to prevent the spread of germs, people should wash their hands often, cover their noses or mouths when coughing or sneezing, stay home from school or work and see a doctor if sick.



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