WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/27/2009) - Wisconsin Governor Doyle suggests everyone should remain calm and use common sense, good health practices, following the news regarding swine influenza, which has been reported in several states and in Mexico. Doyle says the Wisconsin government is in touch with health officials across the country and more information will be made available as needed to keep residents of the state up to date and aware of the situation.

"It is important that everyone remain calm, use common sense and simple good health practices like washing your hands. If you have flu-like symptoms, stay at home and contact your physician," Governor Doyle said.

"We are in regular contact with health officials across our state and nation, and new information will be provided as it becomes available,” Governor Doyle pointed out.

WisconsinReport.com has discovered that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says 40 human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the United States as of 12:00 noon Central Daylight Time (CDT) today (04-27-2009). Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection also have been identified internationally.

The current count of laboratory confirmed Swine Flu cases in the United States includes: 7 cases in California, 2 cases in Kansas, 28 cases in New York City, 1 case in Ohio, and 2 cases in Texas.

An investigation and response effort surrounding the outbreak of swine flu is ongoing.

CDC is working very closely with officials in states where human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) have been identified, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization. This includes deploying staff domestically and internationally to provide guidance and technical support.

CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the agency’s response to this emerging health threat and yesterday the Secretary of the Department Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, declared a public health emergency in the United States. This will allow funds to be released to support the public health response.

CDC’s goals during this public health emergency are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to assist health care providers, public health officials and the public in addressing the challenges posed by this newly identified influenza virus. To this end, CDC has issued a number of interim guidance documents in the past 24 hours.

In addition, CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is releasing one-quarter of its antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to help states respond to the outbreak.

Laboratory testing has found the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir.

This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated guidance and new information as it becomes available.