Two cases of suspected swine flu in Iowa

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver said state officials were preparing for a possible public health emergency while they awaited test results to confirm two probable cases of H1N1 - or swine flu --- in Iowa.Both suspected cases are in the eastern part of the state, an adult in Clinton County and woman in Des Moines County.

The suspected case in Clinton County is of a California resident who visited Iowa late last week, traveling through Scott and Clinton counties, according to Iowa Department of Public Health Director Tom Newton.

The woman in the Des Moines County case returned from Mexico and became ill last week. She traveled through Johnson, Des Moines and Muscatine counties, Newton said.

"In the early stages of disease, while infectious, both of these individuals were out and about in the community doing normal day-to-day activities, as well as at work," Newton said.

Neither person was hospitalized; both are now are recovering.

State officials expect the final test results in those cases to be received by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday.

Newton said now that officials believe that the virus has been introduced to the state, they anticipate it will spread across Iowa.

A national public health emergency already has been declared, freeing up federal resources including antiviral medication in the event of an outbreak.

The state has received a shipment of antiviral medication and personal protective equipment.

"This means we are prepared for these cases and any others that may occur," Culver said. "I want to be clear, now is the time to continue our diligence and to exercise caution. There is no need for alarm."

Culver has asked Newton to prepare a declaration for a public health disaster which could be signed if one or both of the suspected cases in Iowa is confirmed.

"This is a reasonable precautionary measure with one goal in mind - keeping Iowans safe," Culver said.

A state declaration would give the state additional flexibility for purchasing and distributing additional antiviral medication beyond the stockpile, as well as the deployment of public health response teams. It also would allow the state to enact measures to prevent transmission of infectious disease, including isolation of individuals or groups to protect the public.

Culver said officials are working to prevent further exposure to the flu strain. He has ordered the state's public health department to activate its emergency coordinating center in Des Moines to ensure a "constant flow of information" from local communities to state officials.

He's also directed staff at the state Emergency Operations Center in Camp Dodge to be on alert in the event that the center must be activated.

"I want to be clear: this is not a step I believe the state needs to take at this time, but we are ready if need be," Culver said.

The state has set up a toll-free number Iowans can call with questions and concerns at 1-800-447-1985. Links to more information can be found at www.governor.iowa.gov .

Culver stressed that this particular flu is not spread through food, and that swine herds in Iowa were healthy.

"You simply cannot catch this flu by eating pork," Culver said.

Iowa Department of Public Health Medical Director Patricia Quinlisk urged people who feel ill to stay home from work or school. Those with temperatures over 100 degrees with a bad cough or sore throat are urged to contact a health care provider to be seen and tested in a way that will not expose others to the illness.