120 cases of new swine flu strain

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE)  The number of confirmed cases in Indiana for a new strain of the swine flu jumped from 113 to 120 Thursday.  It's slightly different than the swine flu dealt with in the past.

19 counties have been impacted by the outbreak.  Cases have been found in the following Indiana counties: Bartholomew, Greene, Hamilton, Hendricks, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson, Kosciusko, LaPorte, Lawrence, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Porter, Scott, Tippecanoe, Tipton,Washington, and White

State leaders said it's being contracted by human contact with hogs and pigs.  So far, the new strain hasn't been seen transmitted between humans.

More than 90 percent of the cases have been children.  Most of them caught it at agricultural fairs.

Flu symptoms usually include fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.  Symptoms may last anywhere from three to eight days.

To avoid influenza and other respiratory infections, Indiana residents are reminded to follow these practices:

• Wash your hands frequently, including before and after touching animals.
• Never eat, drink, or put anything in your mouth when visiting animal areas. 
• Older adults, pregnant women, young children, and people with weakened immune systems should be extra careful around animals. 
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow. 
• If possible, avoid contact with those who are ill. 
• Stay home if you develop influenza symptoms and contact your health care provider. 

Health officials have not determined person to person transmission at this time, but continue to investigate the possibility. Human infections are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to live infected pigs, such as working with them in barns and livestock exhibits at fairs.

The virus can't be transmitted by eating pork or pork products.

The Indiana State Department of Health has set up a call center to answer questions regarding the new strain of swine flu.  Its number is (877) 826-0011.  The call center is open from 8:15 a.m . to 4:45 p.m ., Monday through Friday.