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SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
MEDIA ADVISORY: Sunday, May 03, 2009
MEDIA ADVISORY: Sunday, May 03, 2009
CONTACT: Barb Buhler, 1-800-592-1861
RE: Swine flu update
RE: Swine flu update
As of 3:30 p.m. CDT today (5/3), the South Dakota Public Health Laboratory had tested 120 specimens and all have been negative for H1N1. The laboratory has previously reported 556 negative tests for H1N1 and 2 probable cases which have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for further testing. The probable cases were reported in Marshall and Minnehaha County.
South Dakota residents with questions about swine flu can contact the department’s call center, 1-800-592-1861, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily.
Important Prevention Tips
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- If that’s not available, use anti-bacterial hand gel.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw it away and wash your hands.
- When you’re sick, stay home.
Food Safety
Federal officials say there is no evidence at this time that swine in the United States are infected with the H1N1 virus strain, and this is not an animal health or food-safety issue. The emerging virus is a mixture of genetic material from other strains of human, avian (bird) and swine influenza.
More Information
http://doh.sd.gov – information about prevention, treatment and caring for ill at home; links to CDC about national situation
http://www.bReadySD.com – preparing emergency plans and kits
Video of laboratory testing of flu samples for use by media outlets is available at ftp://ftp.state.sd.us/doh/tobacco%20ads. Right click on the desired format and click “save target” to download the video. Please credit South Dakota Department of Health.