Baltimore, MD (April 27, 2009) - Governor Martin O’Malley announced the opening of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s (DHMH) Swine Flu Operation Center in Baltimore today. The DHMH Office of Preparedness and Response has begun monitoring and assisting health care partners across Maryland to prepare and respond should the swine flu present a health emergency for state residents.  

“We want the citizens of Maryland to know that their government is doing everything we can at this time to prepare for any contingency with regard to swine flu,” said Governor Martin O’Malley, “I want to thank our health and emergency professionals for their quick and thorough efforts as we take these precautions to protect the citizens of Maryland.” 

There are no known cases or probable cases of this novel strain of swine flu in Maryland to date. All Maryland hospitals, health centers, clinics, doctors and other health care providers are now on alert with specific instructions to identify and manage accordingly, anyone who calls or visits their facilities while experiencing flu-like symptoms.  

Maryland has extended the existing influenza surveillance period beyond its original end date of May 20, 2009, until further notice.  Any health care provider with a suspected case of flu is requested to contact their local health department and submit samples to the State Public Health Laboratory for testing on all cases of flu-like illness that fit the appropriate characteristics. 

“Just as we've planned and practiced for years, we are taking the necessary precautions to be ready if and when swine flu comes to Maryland,” said John M. Colmers, DHMH secretary. “We want to emphasize that the greatest tool for combating this serious health threat is the common sense approach anyone can take, such as washing your hands frequently and covering your mouth when you cough.” 

As with any other seasonal flu, Marylanders should are being advised to exercise precautionary measures to avoid becoming ill or spreading an illness to others.

For more information on swine flu Marylanders can go to:  http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/   or   http://www.maryland.gov/   

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 Then

 Stay Home and CALL your Doctor 

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color (for fair tones) and grayish skin color (for darker tones)
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not 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

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

Common Sense Precautions Include