Health officials in Dickinson County recently reported the only two cases of swine flu in Kansas.
Both people infected are adults, and neither was hospitalized, according to Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
The outbreak has caused some fatalities, but none in the U.S., according to a press release from KDHE. As of Tuesday, there were 64 confirmed cases in the U.S.
Swine flu is a respiratory disease carried by pigs and humans. The current outbreak appears to be a new strain, and health officials expect people to have no natural immunity to it.
People can be infected by contact with infected pigs or humans. Swine flu is not transmitted by cooking or eating pork, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Seasonal flu vaccines may provide some protection from swine flu, but not total protection, according to CDC. There is no human vaccine for this strain of swine flu.
Symptoms of swine flu include runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It can also include typical seasonal flu symptoms like fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, and coughing.
Good hygiene and health habits are the best way to prevent infection, Serene said. Covering one’s mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and frequent hand washing can drastically reduce the chance of infection.
Also, CDC is urging people not to travel to Mexico, where the outbreak began.
If someone suspects they have swine flu, they should see a doctor and not go to work or school, Marion County Health Administrator Diedre Serene said.