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Swine flu cases drop off locally

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By Kelly Mori, Staff Writer Updated 7:10 PM Friday, July 3, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — Summer vacation appears to have halted the local spread of swine flu.

Clark County health officials this week said the county has reported no new cases of the Swine flu virus since late May.

The county had a sudden rash of cases among school students just before classes let out for the summer. The six cases involved teens between the ages of 12 and 15 and one 25 year old. The students attended Northridge Middle School and Shawnee High School.

Champaign County also has had no cases, said Shelia Hiddleson, Champaign County health commissioner.

“We’ve tested two from the county and both came back negative,” she said.

The state is still testing for the Swine flu virus, “but we’ve just not had any requests for testing,” said Anita Biles, health educator for the health district.

The ages of those infected locally follow a recently released theory that older individuals might have immunity to the illness.

The report, published in the medical journal, Lancet, suggested that people who were exposed to the “Russian Flu” in late 1970s might have immunity to this latest version of the Swine flu virus.

A similar pattern was shown in the late 1970 with people who had not been exposed to the 1946 or 1957 strains of the Swine flu.

The World Health Organization declared a worldwide epidemic in late June.

It is hard to tell if summer vacation travel will cause the swine flu to make a return visit to the area, however Biles urged residents to continue to be diligent when they travel.

“Our message is still hand washing — that’s our number one prevention,” Biles said. “Make sure you’re washing your hands regularly. Carry hand sanitizer with you — especially when you’re traveling.”

Staff writer Matt Sanctis contributed to this report.

A glossary of wine flu terms and the latest developements.

SpringfieldNewsSun.com/go/health

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Yeah, well hopefully we won't have to hear this all over again in the fall. The inducing panic thing.

db
7:26 AM, 7/4/2009

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I have an immune system disease so I've had to be more cautious about this than most people.

I wonder if there is a test available to find out if I was exposed back in the 70s? Would I still carry any antibodies to this strain?

If so, it would ease my mind to know that if I do contract it this winter that I have a better chance of surviving it than if I never had it.

being careful
7:00 PM, 7/3/2009

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Why does this paper continue showing it's ignorance by referring to H1N1 as swine flue.

Jphn
5:38 PM, 7/3/2009

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Swine flu "cased" drop off locally? Duh?

Roger
5:16 PM, 7/3/2009

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