The number of confirmed cases of H1N1 flu in Colorado rose to
six May 4 with a seventh possible case being re-tested.
The Tri-County Health Department announcement relayed
information from the Colorado Department of public Health and
Environment that, in addition to the previously confirmed cases,
one in Arapahoe County and one in Douglas county, two cases had
been confirmed in Jefferson County, one in Eagle County and one in
Adams County.
One of the cases confirmed in Jefferson County was an Arvada
resident who attended Excelsor Charter School. School officials
elected to close the school for a week.
On May 5, the University of Colorado in Boulder announced there
were three suspected cases on the campus. However, college
officials said this weekend’s graduation ceremonies will go on as
planned but they did cancel some events like the traditional
midnight breakfast.
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of
seasonal flu, which include a fever of more than 100 degrees, a
sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, body aches and fatigue. The health
department urges individuals who display these symptoms to seek
medical attention. Additionally, the advice is to stay home for
seven days or for at least one day after the symptoms
disappear.
The virus cannot be contracted by eating pork.
Additional information is available by calling the state hotline
at 1-877-462-2911. The hotline is staffed from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
daily. Information also is available on the Tri-County Health
Department Web site at www.tchd.org or the state health
department Web site at www.cdphe.state.co.us.
