GALLIPOLIS — No, there has not been a reported case of “swine flu” in Gallia County, however, the Health Department is offering an update to the public and to provide guidance to protect against the spread of “swine flu” locally.

Recent media reports of cases in Mexico and several U.S. states including Ohio have prompted this release. On Tuesday, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported the number of swine flu cases nationally was at 68.

On Sunday, a case of swine flu involving a 9-year-od boy from Lorain County in northern Ohio was confirmed to have swine flu by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).

The patient is considered to have a mild case of the disease and is recovering at home. Additional laboratory results confirmed there are seven such cases in California, two in Kansas, 28 in New York City, two in Texas, and one in Ohio.

At this time, all the known cases in the U.S. have recovered and only one case case has required hospitalization. These cases of influenza are different from regular cases of flu because they are being caused by a new combination of influenza viruses.

“The Gallia County Health Department is monitoring the flu outbreak carefully and will be in contact with the Ohio Department of Health daily,” said Dr. Gerald Vallee, Gallia County health commissioner. “At this time there is no pandemic. Usual precautions should be taken.”

If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose or sore throat, sometimes with additional symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, contact your health care provider.

If the following warning signs are experienced, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing.

• Bluish skin color.

• Not drinking enough fluids.

• Not waking up or interacting.

• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held.

• Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough.

• Fever with a rash.

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.

• Pain or pressure in the chest of abdomen.

• Sudden dizziness.

• Confusion.

• Severe or persistent vomiting.

ODH and local health departments are working with health care providers and hospitals around the state to determine if there are other cases. Recommendations from ODH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.

For more information, call the swine flu information line at 1-866-800-1404. Additional information is also available on the ODH and CDC websites at www.odh.gov and www.cdc.gov/swineflu/. The Ohio Department of Health will be providing additional updates as information becomes available.