Oklahoma officials prepare for swine flu onslaught

Swine flu is accelerating in Oklahoma, and the number of cases likely will peak before vaccines are available in mid-October, state and local health officials said Tuesday.

That makes preventive measures, such as frequent hand-washing and staying away from sick people, critical to slowing the spread of the pandemic.

State epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley said the state is surveying several physician practices and labs across the state to estimate the spread of swine flu, also called H1N1. In five of eight regions, the number of people with flu-like illness increased at least 25 percent in the week ending Aug. 29.

"We are going to be one of the first states to experience the brunt of H1N1 this year,” Bradley said.

Only one Oklahoman has died of swine flu, but on average about 40 Americans are dying each week.

"It’s a sobering reminder that influenza is not an innocuous virus,” Bradley said.

Flu-like illness is described as having a temperature of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, along with a cough or sore throat. Most doctors are not testing for flu, but telling patients with symptoms they likely have swine flu. Two-thirds of patients have been younger than 24.

The state is requiring physicians report all hospitalizations and deaths of patients with flu-like illness. Seven hospitalizations were reported since tracking started Sept. 1. Officials also are tracking whether hospitals can handle the strain of more people seeking emergency treatment.

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