Published: April 27, 2009 12:17 pm         

NEW: State health officials want the word out, release symptoms of swine flu

Newsers planned on swine flu

No cases of swine flu have been reported in Oklahoma, but health officials want to get the word out about the importance of being vigilant to the disease.

The Oklahoma Department of Health and the Tulsa Health Department scheduled news conferences for Monday afternoon to discuss monitoring, prevention and treatment of swine flu.

Cases of swine flu have been reported in New York, Ohio, Kansas, Texas and California. No one in the U.S. has died of the disease.

The state Health Department has asked Oklahomans to use caution when traveling to Mexico, which is thought to be the epicenter of the disease’s outbreak.

“This is a serious health concern that demands attention and alertness,” Gov. Brad Henry said in a statement Monday. “Oklahoma’s healthcare, public safety and emergency management communities are working hard to ensure that we are prepared if and when any cases of swine flu are confirmed in the state.”

State health officials are bolstering influenza surveillance and asking healthcare providers to consider testing for patients with flu-like symptoms, particularly if they have traveled to Mexico.

“Panic is not helpful, but caution is,” Henry said. “That means practicing proper hygiene and visiting a healthcare provider if you start having symptoms consistent with the flu.”

The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal influenza and include: fever greater than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting.