There have been no cases of swine flu reported in Fairfield County so far, but health and school officials re taking precautions.

In a statement released on Thursday, Fairfield Memorial Hospital administrator Mike Williams said "Our major concerns for the citizens in Fairfield County are safety and precaution," states Mike Williams, Fairfield Memorial Hospital's Administrator.

He continues,

"We must stress some basic things we all need to do; these include wash your hands often and carefully....wash hands with soap for 15to 20 seconds before rinsing. When you cough, do not cough into your hands, cough into your forearm. These simple things will make a big difference in not spreading germs."

The hospital suggests if you have fever and flu-like symptoms, see your family doctor or come to the emergency department at the hospital; do not go to work or be in large groups of people.

There have been no suspected cases of the Swine Flu to report to the hospital's emergency department thus far.



The news of the swine flu in next-door Newberry County means that Fairfield County school officials are also taking precautions.

In their statement, the Fairfield County School District stated 'the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported at least 109 human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in the United States as of today.

We are taking several steps at the advisement of the U.S. Department of Education.

Administrators and staff will be observing students for any flu-like or upper respiratory symptoms (fever, cough, chills and body aches), and will direct anyone exhibiting these symptoms to the school nurse.

We also recommend parents emphasize basic infection prevention measures with their child, including:

1. Keep your child home if they are sick, and contact your health physician if your child exhibits flu-like symptoms.

2. The best defense is frequent hand washing (with soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer).

3. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with hands. Germs spread this way.

4. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or shirt-sleeve.

5. Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, drink fluids and eat nutritious food.

The number of “probable” swine flu cases connected to a Newberry Academy spring break trip to Cancun, Mexico is up to 17 with the latest update from the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

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 ealth 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.

Locally, a representative from Price’s Drugs in Winnsboro reports that they are stocked up on Tamiflu. She reminds residents that you must have a prescription to obtain it.

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 10 probable cases of swine flu in South Carolina are associated with Newberry Academy. 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.

—Observer Editor Holly Astwood and Herald Independent staff writer Andi Phipps contributed to this report.