Apr 30, 2009 2:59 pm US/Eastern
6 Probable Cases Of Swine Flu Reported In Md.
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Just one step away from a pandemic. The World Health Organization has raised its swine flu alert level as more cases of the illness popped up around the globe, including here in the United States There's already one death in the U.S., a toddler visiting from Mexico.
This news comes as there are also half a dozen probable cases of swine flu right here in Maryland.
Jessica Kartalija reports two of those cases involve school-aged children.
Americans returning home from abroad have brought the swine flu virus to Maryland.
"I think we have to be prepared for this to be at least as widespread as the normal flu season would be," said Governor Martin O'Malley. "Then again, it may taper off as the weather becomes warmer and it may come back in a broader fashion in the next flu season.
The state is waiting for confirmation that six patients carry the new flu strain that's spreading across the globe. On top of those six cases, at least six others have been flagged for additional testing.
"We have planned for a pandemic. We have not only planned, but we have exercised across the public health community in Maryland for this," said Frances Phillips, deputy secretary for public health services
From the state's swine flu command center, health officials described the six. There's one Folger McKinsey Elementary School student and two of his or her relatives. There's one Milford Mill Academy student and a family member. The sixth is a Baltimore County resident who traveled to the Caribbean.
"None of the six persons has required hospitalization and all of the six are recovering," O'Malley said.
"We don't have the understanding in Maryland that there is the kind of transmission that you may be describing elsewhere. That's certainly something we're monitoring very closely," Phillips said.
O'Malley has created a swine flu medical advisory board.
The six members of the board announced Thursday will give advice to state officials about how to deal with swine flu.
O'Malley has appointed doctors John Bartlett, Frank Calia, Thomas Inglesby, James Nataro, Ina Stephens and Ivan Walks to the advisory board. They have been working closely with the governor and health officials in the past few days.
A call center is also now available for local doctors with questions.
Meanwhile, the state has more than 600,000 doses of anti-flu medicine in case it does spread.
State officials expect to get the first round of results from the CDC Thursday.
Meanwhile, a letter was sent home Wednesday to parents at Milford Mill Academy alerting them to the probable case of swine flu. Their reaction is fear and frustration.
Gigi Barnett reports Milford Mill Academy and Folger McKinsey Elementary are now under the microscope as the CDC tests samples from students believed to have the swine flu.
"I'm just surprised to hear that someone has it here at the school. I didn't know. I'm just really surprised to find out," said parent Christy Schiavone.
"I don't want to come to school because I don't want it," said Alexis Rawlings-Ross, high school senior.
Some students were missing in school Thursday. Parents kept them home because of the probable cases of swine flu.
"We're concerned. We are definitely concerned, parents out here. We just hope they take all precautions necessary," said Tanya Kyles.
"Certainly there's a little bit of concern. We've had no change in staff attendance, teachers and others. Everybody we expected at work today is at work today," said Kevin Maxwell, Anne Arundel Schools Superintendent.
But in their letters to parents, both Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County School systems are urging parents to keep sick children at home. They also asking parents to report any change in students' health, especially if they come down with flu-like symptoms.
The last day the students with the probable cases were in school was last Friday. The incubation period for this condition is three to seven days.
State health officials say there may be more cases out there, but both schools are remaining open.
"The confirmation of these things comes almost as someone has already recovered or are on their way to recovery. The bigger issue for us is whether there will be other cases identified," Maxwell said.
"The recommendation to parents is to be aware. Be careful as far as what kinds of symptoms they may experience," said Phillips.
Parents say the hardest part may be explaining to their students what's going on.
"When you talk to a second grader, they're not scared. They don't watch the news and don't see the epidemic and the reportings across the country. What they're talking about is, 'Can I go to school, Mom and Dad?'" said Matt Myers.
Myers has two daughters at Folger McKinsey. School workers disinfected the school last night, so he decided to take his daughters to class.
"We had a long discussion about it and ultimately decided that it was in their best interest, and school was open and for them to come today," said Myers.
Students are being reminded to wash hands frequently, cough and sneeze into a sleeve and stay home if they are sick.
Click here for more information about the swine flu from the state.
If you live in Baltimore County, you can call
410-887-2243 for more information.
The Anne Arundel County Health Department has set up an information hotline at 410-222-7343.
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WJZ.COM for the latest on this developing story.
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