By Greg Grisolano
ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com
PARSONS, Kan. — Two Labette County residents are recovering at home after being diagnosed with the H1N1 A influenza virus, local and state officials said Saturday.
The two cases of the virus, commonly known as “swine flu,” are the first to be reported in Southeast Kansas, and bring the statewide total to 100, according to officials with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Geary County in central Kansas has confirmed 25 cases involving nine adults and 16 children.
The two individuals went to Labette Health ExpressCare in Parsons on Wednesday for treatment, according to Stella Clark, vice president of patient services.
“They came with the symptoms to our express care, and were treated and released to home,” she said.
Samples sent to the state Health Department returned a positive test for swine flu on Friday, Clark said.
“We hope not to see more cases but the potential is there,” she said. “I’ve talked with several concerned citizens today, and encouraged them to watch for symptoms. If symptoms come out, they can go to the hospital or their own physician.”
Clark said that while the virus is a serious illness that can potentially be fatal, it can also be treated with the same means used to fight more common flu strains.
“What we do is just try to keep people knowing what symptoms are,” she said. “Most people want to think influenza is stomach-related, and it can be that. But most often it’s body aches, fever, and respiratory congestion. When you have those, it’s best to go in and get checked out.
The World Health Organization declared a global influenza pandemic on June 11. More than 27,000 cases and approximately 150 deaths in over 70 countries.
The symptoms of the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever greater than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting.
Individuals who experience the above symptoms should contact their health-care provider, who will determine whether testing or treatment is needed. There is no vaccine available right now to protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus, but there are effective treatments available once the infection is diagnosed.
As with any influenza virus, individuals are encouraged to take steps to reduce spreading it, including thoroughly washing hands, staying home from work when sick, and coughing or sneezing into an elbow or a tissue.
The state Health Department also noted that the virus is not transmitted by eating pork or pork products.
Health hot line
The Kansas Department of Health and the Environment has established a phone number for concerned Kansans to call with questions about the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus . The toll-free number is 1-877-427-7317. Operators will be available to answer questions from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Local News
Two cases of H1N1 A influenza virus confirmed in Labette County
- Local News
-
-
City wants to buy weather radios for those without
Phil Jones had been working on a construction project outside his house all day on May 22 and was unaware that a tornado watch had been issued. Once he was inside, though, his weather radio went off, and he learned that a warning had been issued.
-
Architects present preliminary JHS plans at community meeting
Reaction appeared mostly supportive Thursday night among the roughly 50 people who attended a community meeting at which architects presented their preliminary site plans for the future combined Joplin High School and Franklin Technology Center.
-
Confessed shooter testifies against co-defendants in Pittsburg murder case
Rickey Smith testified Thursday that as he came in the back door of Ryan Bailey’s home in Pittsburg with a 9 mm pistol in his hand, Bailey looked up from the couch in his living room.
-
School district’s proposed street-closing plan questioned
Plans to close some streets near the proposed Joplin High School drew questions, including a challenge from a former Joplin mayor, during a public hearing this week.
-
Neosho council approves new golf cart contract
The purchase of golf carts was back on the agenda this week for the Neosho City Council. City Attorney Steve Hays said there were errors in the financing terms that were part of a bid approved last month for the purchase of 55 gas-powered carts from E-Z-Go for $144,195, so the purchase of a new fleet was rebid.
-
Mike Pound: Spirit of competition evident during double-overtime game
When I played basketball in high school, I played in several very close games.
Now, some people who may have known me in high school are probably laughing right now and saying, “What Mike meant to say is that when he was in high school, he came very close to playing in some games.” -
Mo. optometrist filed $40 million refund claim
A southwest Missouri optometrist who filed a tax return claiming a $40 million refund has been sentenced to four years and three months in federal prison.
-
Okla. receives waiver from No Child Left Behind
Oklahoma’s top education official reacted with glee Thursday with the announcement that the state is one of 10 states being granted a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind law that requires students be proficient in reading and math by 2014 — but focused on getting students to “just pass the tests.”
-
Kan. House approves bipartisan redistricting bill
Power in the Kansas House is likely to shift next year from rural parts of the state to the Kansas City area after members overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan bill Thursday for redrawing their districts.
-
Fugitive in 1993 British heist arrested in Ozark
A man suspected of stealing about $1.5 million from a security van in England in 1993 has been arrested in southwest Missouri.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
