The number of “suspect” cases is at 41.
Nationwide, the number of confirmed swine flu cases is approaching 100 this morning. Eleven states have reported cases and there has been one U.S. death.
"The probables are all being forwarded on to the (Center for Disease Control)," says Thom Berry, DHEC spokesperson, "They will be tested at the CDC to confirm whether or not they are true cases of this novel swine flu virus."
So far, DHEC doesn't know when it will receive an answer from CDC as to the probable cases.
"It could be several days, it could be up to a week. We hope we'll hear by the end of the week, but the CDC laboratories are being inundated as you can well imagine, so it's whenever they can get to them," says Berry. "They're not making any promises to anybody."
The office is also in contact with physicians statewide to minimize the health impact on South Carolinians.
"We're talking with them, we're answering whatever questions they are calling us with and providing guidance directly through our health alert network which goes to physicians, hospitals and networks throughout the state."
Lynn Beasley, CEO and president of Newberry County Memorial Hospital, says local physicians are putting into place drive-up swabbing for potential swine flu sufferers. Concerned citizens with the flu should call their doctor’s office for further instructions. Physicians in Newberry are reporting increased office visits and calls.
Local pharmacies had run low on Tamiflu supplies, Beasley also reported, but now have the stocks restored. Tamiflu has shown itself effective in mitigating the effects of the new flu strain and is available with a prescription.
Emergency Services Coordinator Tommy Long says local rescue squads are stocked up on surgical masks.
Health officials are attempting to contain the spread of the virus to Newberry County.
DHEC is also in constant contact with the CDC and healthcare providers around the state, closely monitoring doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers to identify and track any cases that might arise.
Berry advises that those with high fever and flu-like symptoms who have either been to Mexico recently or been in contact with those who likely have swine flu see a doctor.
"Your doctor can then take a swab that can then be sent to us," says Berry. "But no, we're not recommending that general population go and get a swab done. It's just those that fall into that high-risk category."
South Carolinians should wash their hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes with their sleeve (not a hand), and if anyone has signs or symptoms of influenza, avoid crowds and if symptoms become severe, contact your health care provider, says Jerry Gibson, M.D., chief of DHEC’s Bureau of Disease Control.
While there are many unknowns about the swine flu virus, DHEC lists below what it does know:
• Several types of antiviral drugs seem to work for swine flu when taken shortly after symptoms begin. In South Carolina, there are 435,000 of these treatment courses — 10 pills per course — on hand. The drugs are called Tamiflu and Relenza. The federal government stockpiles these drugs for emergencies and has reserved an additional 640,000 treatment courses for South Carolina. Federal officials will send about 140,000 of those courses soon.
• To fight the spread of the flu virus:
— Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
— Cover your cough with your sleeve, not your hand.
— Stay home if you're sick.
— Stay away from people who are sick.
— Eat a healthy diet and get plenty of rest.
• It takes from 48-72 hours for symptoms to show up after a person has come in contact with the virus.
• There's no way to know how long the outbreak will last, the virus is expected to be around for quite some time.
• The probable cases of swine flu in South Carolina are associated with Newberry Academy so far. The school has been closed this week. Schools routinely close whenever there is a cluster of illnesses. It’s too early to tell if more schools will close.
• There is no evidence that you can get swine flu from eating pork.
• If you start to have symptoms of the flu, call your healthcare provider or your local public health clinic for guidance. The Region 3 Regional Public Health Office serves Newberry County as well as seven other counties. The Region 3 Regional Office is located at 2000 Hampton St., Columbia, SC 29204. The phone number is 576-2900.
—Editor Holly Astwood contributed to this report.
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