According to local emergency management director Lloyd Colston, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is urging Oklahomans to be on alert for an unusual strain of swine influenza that has been confirmed in numerous states and several countries.

While as yet no cases have been confirmed in Oklahoma, neighboring states of Kansas and Texas have both reported cases and Oklahoma’s health officials believe increased surveillance will likely lead to confirmed cases in the state.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus. Although rare, human infections can occur. Recently, cases of a new strain of the swine flu H1N1 virus have been confirmed. This virus has not previously been documented anywhere in the world and there is no vaccine to prevent it. The virus appears to be transmitted person-to-person. It is not transmitted by food and persons cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products.

The symptoms of swine flu are similar to seasonal influenza and include fever greater than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Laboratory confirmation is required to determine whether an individual has regular seasonal influenza or the new swine flu.

Contact your physician if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms. Some antiviral drugs may be used to treat persons who become ill with swine influenza.

The OSDH has set up a phone bank for persons with questions about swine flu. The toll-free number is 1-866-278-7134. Phones will be answered from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Hours may be expanded as necessary.

Additional information on swine influenza is available by visiting the OSDH Web site at www.health.ok.gov and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention swine flu Web site at www.cdc.gov/swineflu, or by calling your local county health department.