4 swine flu cases reported since April: CDC

CDC statistics showed that since April, there has been a reported 44 cases of influenza, among which four were found to be caused by the A(H1N1) influenza virus. All four victims were residents of a nursing home in which a total of 26 people had suffered from diarrhea and subsequently sent to the hospital.

According to the CDC, of the 44 influenza cases, 36 infections were diagnosed as the seasonal influenza B. However, the cases of swine flu are seen as a sign of the disease regaining traction, CDC officials said.

Lin Tzou-yien, superintendent of the Chang Gung Children's Hospital in Linkou pointed out that small waves of flu outbreaks occur every summer and this year is no exception. Parents and teachers must always be on guard to detect when a child not feeling well and send them to the hospital immediately, Lin added.

To aid detection, Lin emphasized that influenza infections in children under six are asymptomatic. For those over six years of age, Lin said to look out for flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, muscle aches and general malaise.

Lin Ding, deputy director general of the CDC, said out of the 44 influenza patients, a reported 31 people caught the virus in classrooms, with the highest rate occurring in elementary and junior high schools. Parents must pay extra attention to their children's physical condition, he said, adding that if a child is found with fever, do not let him go to school.

Nursing homes have also been identified as prime influenza infection sites, which was brought to public attention by recent reports of nursing home residents experiencing collective diarrhea, four of which were later tested and found to have swine flu.

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