Number of swine flu cases in Utah hits 80

More than twice as many Utahns have contracted the H1N1 flu virus than a week ago, including the first case confirmed in Davis County.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Utah Department of Health reported that 80 Utahns had or have the virus, up from the eight "confirmed" and 30 "probable" cases listed by the department a week ago Wednesday. All of the probable cases were eventually confirmed once the state received its own test kit from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta last week.

Davis School District Superintendent Bryan Bowles sent a letter to parents Wednesday, informing them that the county's first case was a child who attends Doxey Elementary School and asking parents "to be extra vigilant" in making sure their children are healthy when they attend.

"At this point, there are no plans to close Doxey because of the case," Bowles wrote. "However, if a parent wants to keep their child home from school, they have the parental right to do so.

"In the meantime, Doxey will continue its practice of allowing students to wash their hands before and after recess, before lunch, and to use hand sanitizer three times a day. It will also continue its practice of wiping down and sanitizing horizontal surfaces and computer keyboards."

A school nurse will also be looking to monitor any children who may be ill, the letter said.

Several schools were closed in Summit and Salt Lake counties earlier this month after confirmed cases of the virus were reported among students. School officials, in cooperation with state and local health officials, decided to re-open the schools after it became apparent that most cases of the H1N1 virus in the U.S. and statewide were mild, with symptoms no more severe than those associated with the seasonal flu.

Symptoms of the flu include headache, body aches, fatigue, fever of 100 or more degrees, chills, sore throat and cough. Diarrhea and vomiting might also be present.

Health officials are still watching the spread of the virus, waiting to see how it plays out in populations traditionally considered more at risk, including those who are chronically ill, pregnant women, infants and the elderly.

Recommendations from the CDC to contain the spread of the virus include:

Stay home from school, work and other social gatherings when you are ill.

Cover your nose and mouth with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

 Wash your hands often with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand cleaners.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Confirmed H1N1 flu cases for Utah health districts

37 in Summit County Health District

27 in Salt Lake Valley Health District

1 in Weber-Morgan Health District

5 in Utah County Health District*

5 in Central Utah Health District

2 in Southwest Utah Public Health District

1 in Southeast Utah Public Health District

1 in Davis County Health District

1 in Wasatch County Health District

*Two are Utah County Health District residents but were not in Utah during their incubation period or illness.

E-MAIL: carrie@desnews.com