More Swine Flu Meds Requested For Texas; 14 Schools Close In Cibolo
Governor Rick Perry has requested 850,000 antiviral medication treatments from the Strategic National Stockpile to prevent a potential spread of the recent swine flu. This is 25 percent more than what the Governor asked for Saturday. The stockpile is managed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
In a press release sent out Saturday, April 25, Mr. Perry said, “As a precautionary measure, I have requested that medication be on hand in Texas to help curb the spread of swine flu by helping those with both confirmed and suspected cases of this swine flu virus, as well as healthcare providers who may have come in contact with these patients. We will continue to work with our local, state and federal health officials to ensure public safety is protected.”
The Governor’s Office reports that the Department of State Health Services is investigating other potential cases. Health officials are talking to eight students that have been absent from school since April 11 due to flu-like illness.
The state has closed all 14 schools and two district facilities in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District. All extracurricular activities are also cancelled. This comes after Byron Steele High School in Cibolo was closed on Saturday. Two confirmed cases of the swine flu were found in two high school boys at this school. A third case is under investigation. Officials are waiting on lab test results from the third case to find out if it is the virus.
The Swine Flu has killed more than 60 people in Mexico and made a thousand more sick. An investigation is underway to find out if their is a link between the outbreak in Mexico and the cases in Texas.
Swine Flu symptoms are similar to those of the regular more familiar flu. Those symptoms include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite and coughing.
