Swine influenza frequently asked questions
• What is swine influenza?
• What are the implications for human health?
• Where have human cases occurred?
• How do people become infected?
• Is it safe to eat pork meat and products?
• What about the pandemic risk?
• Is there a human vaccine to protect against swine influenza?
• What drugs are available for treatment?
• What should I do if I am in regular contact with pigs?
• How can I protect myself from getting swine influenza from infected people?
• What should I do if I think I have swine influenza?
What is swine influenza?
Swine influenza, or “swine flu”, is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses. Morbidity tends to be high and mortality low (1-4%). The virus is spread among pigs by aerosols and direct and indirect contact, and asymptomatic carrier pigs exist. Outbreaks in pigs occur year round, with an increased incidence in the fall and winter in temperate zones. Many countries routinely vaccinate swine populations against swine influenza.
Swine influenza viruses are most commonly of the H1N1 subtype, but other subtypes are also
circulating in pigs (e.g., H1N2, H3N1, H3N2). Pigs can also be infected with avian influenza viruses and human seasonal influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. The H3N2 swine virus was thought to have been originally introduced into pigs by humans. Sometimes pigs can be infected with more than one virus type at a time, which can allow the genes from these viruses to mix. This can result in an influenza virus containing genes from a number of sources, called a “reassortant” virus. Although swine influenza viruses are normally species specific and only infect pigs, they do sometimes cross the species barrier to cause disease in humans.
What are the implications for human health?
Outbreaks and sporadic human infection with swine influenza have been occasionally reported.
Generally clinical symptoms are similar to seasonal influenza but reported clinical presentation ranges broadly from asymptomatic infection to severe pneumonia resulting in death. Since typical clinical presentation of swine influenza infection in humans resembles seasonal influenza and other acute upper respiratory tract infections, most of the cases have been detected by chance through seasonal influenza surveillance. Mild or asymptomatic cases may have escaped from recognition, therefore the true extent of this disease among humans is unknown.
Where have human cases occurred?
Since the implementation of IHR(2005)1 in 2007, WHO has been notified of swine influenza cases from the United States and Spain.
How do people become infected?
People usually get swine influenza from infected pigs, however, some human cases lack contact
history with pigs or environments where pigs have been located. Human-to-human transmission has occurred in some instances but was limited to close contacts and closed groups of people.
Is it safe to eat pork and pork products?
Yes. Swine influenza has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly
handled and prepared pork (pig meat) or other products derived from pigs. The swine influenza virus is killed by cooking temperatures of 160°F/70°C, corresponding to the general guidance for the preparation of pork and other meat.
Which countries have been affected by outbreaks in pigs?
Swine influenza is not notifiable to international animal health authorities (OIE, www.oie.int),
therefore its international distribution in animals is not well known. The disease is considered endemic in the United States. Outbreaks in pigs are also known to have occurred in North and South America, Europe (including the UK, Sweden, and Italy), Africa (Kenya), and in parts of eastern Asia including China and Japan.
What about the pandemic risk?
It is likely that most of people, especially those who do not have regular contact with pigs, do not have immunity to swine influenza viruses that can prevent the virus infection. If a swine virus established efficient human-to human transmission, it can cause an influenza pandemic. The impact of a pandemic caused by such a virus is difficult to predict: it depends on virulence of the virus, existing immunity among people, cross protection by antibodies acquired from seasonal influenza infection and host factors. Swine influenza viruses can give a rise to a hybrid virus by mixing with a human influenza virus and can cause pandemic.
Is there a human vaccine to protect against swine influenza?
No. Influenza viruses change very quickly and the match between the vaccine and the circulating virus is very important to give adequate protective immunity to vaccinated people. This is why WHO needs to select vaccine viruses twice a year for seasonal influenza protection, once for the northern hemisphere winter and another for the southern hemisphere. Current seasonal influenza vaccine produced based on WHO recommendation does not contain swine influenza virus. It is unknown whether the seasonal vaccines can provide any cross protection to ongoing swine influenza virus infection in the United States and Mexico. WHO is working closely with its partner institutions for 1 International Health Regulation (2005) http://www.who.int/ihr/about/en/ further advise on the use of seasonal influenza vaccine in preventing the swine influenza infection. This section will be updated as more information becomes available.
What drugs are available for treatment?
Antiviral drugs for seasonal influenza are available in some countries and effectively prevent and treat the illness. There are two classes of such medicines, 1) adamantanes (amantadine and remantadine), and 2) inhibitors of influenza neuraminidase (oseltamivir and zanamivir). Most of the previously reported swine influenza cases recovered fully from the disease without requiring medical attention and without antiviral medicines.
Some influenza viruses develop resistance to the antiviral medicines, limiting the effectiveness of
chemoprophylaxis and treatment. The viruses obtained from the recent human cases with swine
influenza in the United States were sensitive to oselatmivir and zanamivir but resistant to amantadine and remantadine.
Information is in sufficient to make recommendation on the use of the antivirals in prevention and treatment of swine influenza virus infection. Clinicians have to make decisions based on the clinical and epidemiological assessment and harms and benefit of the prophylaxis/treatment of the patient2.
For the ongoing outbreak of the swine influenza infection in the United States and Mexico, the
national and the local authorities are recommending to use oseltamivir or zanamivir for treatment and prevention of the disease based on the virus’s susceptibility profile.
What should I do if I am in regular contact with pigs?
Even though there is no clear indication that the current human cases with swine influenza infection are related to recent or ongoing influenza-like disease events in pigs, it would be advisable to minimize contact with sick pigs and report such animals to relevant animal health authorities. Most people are infected through prolonged, close contact with infected pigs. Good hygiene practices are essential in all contact with animals and are especially important during slaughter and postslaughter handling to prevent exposure to disease agents. Sick animals or animals that died from disease should not be undergoing slaughtering procedures. Follow further advice from relevant national authorities. Swine influenza has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and prepared pork (pig meat) or other products derived from pigs. The swine influenza virus is killed by cooking temperatures of 160oF/70oC corresponding to the general guidance f
or the preparation of pork and other meat.
How can I protect myself from getting swine influenza from infected people?
In the past, human infection with swine influenza was generally mild but is known to have caused severe illness such as pneumonia For the current outbreaks in the United States and Mexico however, the clinical pictures have been different. None of the confirmed cases in the United States have had the severe form of the disease and the patients recovered from illness without requiring medical care. In Mexico, some patients reportedly had the severe form of the disease.
2 For benefits and harms of influenza-specific antivirals, see http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/guidelines/pharmamanagement/en/index.html
To protect yourself, practice general preventive measures for influenza:
• Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have fever and cough.
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly.
• Practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.
If there is an ill person at home:
• Try to provide the ill person a separate section in the house. If this is not possible, keep the
patient at least 1 meter in distance from others.
• Cover mouth and nose when caring for the ill person. Masks can be bought commercially or
made using the readily available materials as long as they are disposed of or cleaned properly.
• Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly after each contact with the ill person.
• Try to improve the air flow in the area where the ill person stays. Use doors and windows to
take advantage of breezes.
• Keep the environment clean with readily available household cleaning agents.
If you are living in a country where swine influenza has caused disease in humans, follow additional advice from national and local health authorities.
What should I do if I think I have swine influenza?
If you feel unwell, have high fever, cough and/or sore throat:
• Stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds as much as possible.
• Rest and take plenty of fluids.
• Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing and dispose of
the used tissues properly.
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly, especially after coughing or
sneezing.
• Inform family and friends about your illness and seek help for household chores that require
contact with other people such as shopping.
If you need medical attention:
• Contact your doctor or healthcare provider before travelling to see them and report your
symptoms. Explain why you think you have swine influenza (for example, if you have
recently travelled to a country where there is a swine influenza outbreak in humans). Follow
the advice given to you for care.
• If it is not possible to contact your healthcare provider in advance, communicate your
suspicion of having swine influenza immediately upon arrival at the healthcare facility.
• Take care to cover your nose and mouth during travel.

The Saratoga Springs Police Department is proud to be participating in the 2009 Utah Law Enforcement Special Olympics Torch Run on May 28th.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE!

This year participants have the option to run, walk, or ride a bike. We will even have a trailer for some of the “special athletes”, and we old couch potatoes, who need to ride every now and then. The run begins at 9:00 am at the City Office Building. The route will proceed from the city offices, East on Main Street (SR73) to 1100 West (Lehi). This is 2.5 miles.
Please come out and support those “super athletes” who cannot help themselves. It is encouraged that all participants purchase a Special Olympics Torch Run Tee shirt. The shirts are $12.00, and come in sizes from small to XX Large. We also have hats! Hats are $10.00. They are on display at the Police department.

For more information, contact Sgt. K Cole at the Police Dept. 766-6503

The 14400 S. westbound closure has been extended to expedite installation of several utility lines that cross the intersection. The westbound leg of the 14400 S. intersection will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Friday, April 17, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26. One-way traffic, directed by flaggers, will also continue in the intersection during these times.

During these closures, traffic may use 15000 S., Aspen Ave. or Bangerter Highway as alternates to 14400 S. UDOT appreciates the public’s patience with this closure, which is allowing these crossings to be accomplished in a little more than a week rather than extend over the course of several weeks with intermittent impacts.

As a reminder, the SR-68 project is initiating a text messaging update service for interested stakeholders. If you would like to receive real-time text messages regarding high priority changing conditions (emergency road closures and other time sensitive updates), please send a request to sr68info@landgdongroupinc.com. Please include your wireless phone number and mobile provider name. Standard text messaging rates apply. This service will extend through project completion.

General Impacts – Corridor-wide impacts from activities occurring along the entire stretch
With the better weather this week, patching crews will be working throughout the project area to address pothole and trench repair. Residents and businesses should expect brief, intermittent access interruptions as utility and pipe work ramps up along the project. Prior notice will be given of longer-term impacts. Delays along the route may increase slightly as flaggers allow additional haul trucks and equipment to enter and exit the work zone.

Segment 4 – Beginning just south of the intersection at Bangerter Highway and ending at the south end of Bluffdale proper.
Utility and earthwork will continue this week at Rose Creek. Expect traffic shifts and minor delays in the area. Work on several utilities is ongoing in this segment. Qwest will be relocating some phone lines on the west side of the road just south of 14400 South. Residents will experience brief access interruptions. Thanks to Bluffdale residents for their continued patience during this work. Crews are working to install storm drain, irrigation and other utilities and a water main near the intersection of 14400 S. Work in this area is ongoing this week. See details above. Crews are preparing areas for curb and gutter throughout this segment. This involves excavation, grading (smoothing) the area and then setting the concrete forms.

Segment 3 – Beginning south of Bluffdale and ending just south of Camp Williams.
Work is progressing well on all three wildlife undercrossings. By mid-May traffic is scheduled to shift back over the new structure at Camp Williams. Paving will begin Monday just south of the Camp Williams main gate. This work is weather dependant.

Segment 2 – Beginning south of Camp Williams and ending just south of the intersection at SR-73 in Saratoga Springs.
The new signal at 10400 N. is now active. Please drive carefully as motorists become accustomed to the new signal. Work is ongoing in the intersection of SR-73/SR-68. One through lane and one left turn lane will be maintained in all directions during construction. Please plan for significant delays in the area for the next several months. We understand that these delays are inconvenient; please bear with the project while these much needed intersection improvements are made. Note that the sidewalk on the southeast corner of the Crossroads intersection is closed to ensure pedestrian safety. Please plan an alternate walking route.
Work on the access from SR-73 to the Chevron/Top Stop and Cyprus Credit Union continues. Crews are pouring a concrete parkstrip through this area this week and will close half of this driveway at a time to perform the work. Utility work in the Harvest Hills area will continue this week. Please expect some brief access diversions in the area. Be aware that another project to improve SR-73 from Redwood Road to 800 West in Saratoga Springs is getting underway. For more information about this project, please contact their Public Information Team:
Phone: 1-888-427-8585
Email: widen73@hotmail.com

Segment 1 – Beginning south of the intersection at SR-73 and ending at 400 S. in Saratoga Springs.
Pipe crossings for the storm drain system are nearing completion but will continue this week. As necessary, traffic will be limited to one direction at a time under the direction of flaggers between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thank you for your patience in this area. Work on the Pioneer Crossing project continues in the vicinity of 400 N. in Saratoga Springs. With the addition of another project in the area traffic has increased. This project also has separate flagging operations, and motorists should expect delays as a result. If you have questions about the Pioneer Crossing project, please contact their Public Information Team directly:
Hotline: 877-222-3757
Email: access@utah.gov

General Project Information
Please remember that recreational activities such as biking and jogging are strongly discouraged in the construction area for your safety and the safety of the crews. Passing is always strictly prohibited throughout the work zone. As spring approaches, more crews will continue to be added and hours of work will expand. Crews are now working Monday – Friday, nine hours per day. Saturday & Sunday work will also be performed as necessary. The project is still progressing on schedule for completion by fall 2009.

Come join the City of Saratoga Springs in participating in the City-wide neighborhood cleanup. Dumpsters will be placed throughout the City in various neighborhoods and locations. They will be placed beginning Friday, May 1st and picked up on Friday, May 8th.
Locations for the dumpsters are as follows:
· Public Works Building
· Saratoga Hills-Grandview Blvd & Lucas Lane
· Pelican Bay-Marina
· Saratoga Springs Development-Marina
· Eagle Park
· Sunrise Meadows-800 West
· Loch Lomond Pond
· Harvest Hills Condos –Harvest Moon Drive
· Harvest Hills Park
· Lake Mountain Estates-Jamaica Way & Mountain Moon Drive.

14400 S. westbound from SR-68 will be closed to traffic from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Sunday, April 29, and again on Sunday, May 3, during the same hours. Traffic may use 15000 S. or Bangerter Highway as alternates to 14400 S. during this time. This closure will allow crews to install a water main and storm drain lines beneath the roadway with minimal impact to peak commuter traffic.

The SR-68 project is initiating a text messaging update service for interested stakeholders. If you would like to receive real-time text messages regarding high priority changing conditions (emergency road closures and other time sensitive updates) on the project, please send a request to sr68info@landgdongroupinc.com. Please include your wireless phone number and mobile provider name. Standard text messaging rates apply. This service will extend through project completion.

General Impacts – Corridor-wide impacts from activities occurring along the entire stretch
With better weather, crews will continue addressing pothole and trench repair that are problematic to keep maintained during changeable spring weather. The major components of the irrigation system are complete and ready for water. Residents and businesses should expect brief, intermittent access interruptions as utility and pipe work ramps up along the project. Prior notice will be given of longer-term impacts. Delays along the route may increase slightly as flaggers allow additional haul trucks and equipment to enter and exit the work zone.

Segment 4 – Beginning just south of the intersection at Bangerter Highway and ending at the south end of Bluffdale proper.
Utility and earthwork have begun at Rose Creek. Expect minor traffic shifts in the area.
Work on several utilities is ongoing in this segment. Qwest will be relocating some phone lines on the west side of the road just south of Maverik. Residents will experience brief access interruptions. Thanks to Bluffdale residents for their continued patience during this work.
Crews are working to install storm drain, irrigation and other utilities and a water main near the intersection of 14400 S. Some work in this area will be completed on Sunday to reduce impacts during peak traffic times. Crews are preparing areas for curb and gutter throughout this segment. This involves excavation, grading (smoothing) the area and then setting the concrete form so the areas are ready for concrete to be poured.

Segment 3 – Beginning south of Bluffdale and ending just south of Camp Williams.
Work is progressing well on all three wildlife undercrossings. By mid-May traffic is scheduled to be shifted back over the new structure at Camp Williams. Asphalt paving will begin as weather allows.

Segment 2 – Beginning south of Camp Williams and ending just south of the intersection at SR-73 in Saratoga Springs.
The new signal at 10400 N. is now installed and ready for activation once weather allows for necessary pavement markings. Please drive carefully with the addition of this new safety feature. Crews will begin excavating at the northeast corner of the crossroads this week.
Work is ongoing in the intersection of SR-73/SR-68. One through lane and one left turn lane will be maintained in all directions during construction. Please plan for significant delays in the area for the next several months. We understand that these delays are inconvenient; please bear with the project while these much needed intersection improvements are made. Note that the sidewalk on the southeast corner of the Crossroads intersection is now closed to ensure pedestrian safety. Please plan an alternate walking route. As part of the roadway widening, work on the access from SR-73 to the Chevron/Top Stop and Cyprus Credit Union is underway and will be ongoing for approximately one month. Crews are pouring a concrete parkstrip through this area this week and will close half of this driveway at a time to perform the work. Motorists are advised to access these businesses via the north Chevron/Top Stop driveway or through the Checker parking lot on SR-68.
Utility work in the Harvest Hills area will continue this week. Please expect some brief access diversions in the area. Be aware that another project to improve SR-73 from Redwood Road to 800 West in Saratoga Springs is getting underway. For more information about this project, please contact their Public Information Team:
Phone: 1-888-427-8585
Email: widen73@hotmail.com

Segment 1 – Beginning south of the intersection at SR-73 and ending at 400 S. in Saratoga Springs.
Pipe crossings for the storm drain system will continue this week as weather allows. As necessary, traffic will be limited to one direction at a time under the direction of flaggers between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thank you for your patience in this area.
Work on the Pioneer Crossing project continues in the vicinity of 400 N. in Saratoga Springs. With the addition of another project in the area traffic has increased. This project also has separate flagging operations, and motorists should expect delays as a result. If you have questions about the Pioneer Crossing project, please contact their Public Information Team directly:
Hotline: 877-222-3757
Email: access@utah.gov

General Project Information
Please remember that recreational activities such as biking and jogging are strongly discouraged in the construction area for your safety and the safety of the crews. Passing is always strictly prohibited throughout the work zone. As spring approaches, more crews will continue to be added and hours of work will expand. Crews are now working Monday – Friday, nine hours per day. Saturday & Sunday work will also be performed as necessary. The project is still progressing on schedule for completion by fall 2009.

Please note that due to weather, project conflicts, or equipment/supply issues, schedules are subject to change.

More Information
For additional project information, visit www.udot.utah.gov/sr-68south. For specific questions or concerns, contact the Public Information Team at sr68info@langdongroupinc.com or 801-455-3116.

The project team continues to appreciate the public’s patience with traffic impacts as it works to complete the much-needed improvements on schedule.

General Impacts – Corridor-wide impacts from activities occurring along the entire stretch. With better weather, crews will continue winter debris and dirt clean up. Residents and businesses should expect brief, intermittent access interruptions as utility and pipe work ramps up along the project. Prior notice will be given of longer-term impacts. Delays along the route may increase slightly as flaggers allow additional haul trucks and equipment to enter and exit the work zone.

Segment 4 – Beginning just south of the intersection at Bangerter Highway and ending at the south end of Bluffdale proper.
Crews are continuing work in the area between 15000 S. and 15600 S. for irrigation line installation this week and into next. Utility and earthwork have begun at Rose Creek. Expect minor traffic shifts in the area. Work on several utilities is ongoing in this segment. Most power poles have been successfully relocated, and communication and gas line work is progressing well. Crews are working to install storm drain and irrigation systems near the intersection of 14400 S. Motorists should expect some traffic shifts in the area of the intersection.
Crews are preparing areas for curb and gutter throughout this segment.

Segment 3 – Beginning south of Bluffdale and ending just south of Camp Williams.
Grading work is ongoing throughout near 10400 N. this week in preparation for asphalt.
Some paving work will continue in the area as weather allows. Expect minor traffic shifts as paving operations progress.

Segment 2 – Beginning south of Camp Williams and ending just south of the intersection at SR-73 in Saratoga Springs.
Signal crews will install a new signal at 10400 North just south of Camp Williams this week. Be aware this signal is scheduled for activation on April 15. Crews will begin removing pavement along the north side of SR-73 between SR-68 and Commerce Drive to the east in preparation for intersection reconstruction. Work is ongoing in the intersection of SR-73/SR-68. This week traffic along SR-68 will be shifted to the far eastern portion of the roadway. One through lane and one left turn lane will be maintained in all directions. Please plan for significant delays in the area for the next several months. We understand that these delays are inconvenient; please bear with the project while these much needed intersection improvements are made.
Note that the sidewalk on the southeast corner of the Crossroads intersection will close this week to ensure pedestrian safety. Please plan an alternate walking route.
As part of the roadway widening, work on the access from SR-73 to the Chevron/Top Stop and Cyprus Credit Union is underway and will be ongoing for approximately one month. Crews will be pouring a concrete parkstrip through this area and will close half of this driveway at a time to perform the work. Motorists are advised to access these businesses via the north Chevron/Top Stop driveway or through the Checker parking lot on SR-68. Utility work in the Harvest Hills area will continue this week. Please expect some brief access diversions in the area. Be aware that another project to improve SR-73 from Redwood Road to 800 West in Saratoga Springs is getting underway. For more information about this project, please contact their Public Information Team:
Phone: 1-888-427-8585
Email: widen73@hotmail.com

Segment 1 – Beginning south of the intersection at SR-73 and ending at 400 S. in Saratoga Springs.
Pipe crossings for the storm drain system will continue this week as weather allows. During this operation, traffic will be limited to one direction at a time under the direction of flaggers between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thank you for your patience in this area. Work on the Pioneer Crossing project continues in the vicinity of 400 N. in Saratoga Springs. With the addition of another project in the area traffic has increased. This project also has separate flagging operations, and motorists should expect delays as a result.If you have questions about the Pioneer Crossing project, please contact their Public Information Team directly:
Hotline: 877-222-3757
Email: access@utah.gov

General Project Information
Please remember that recreational activities such as biking and jogging are strongly discouraged in the construction area for your safety and the safety of the crews. Passing is always strictly prohibited throughout the work zone. As spring approaches, more crews will continue to be added and hours of work will expand. Crews are now working Monday – Friday, nine hours per day. Saturday work will also be performed as necessary. The project is still progressing on schedule for completion by fall 2009.

Please note that due to weather, project conflicts, or equipment/supply issues, schedules are subject to change.

Camp Williams will be doing artillery firing during the following dates:

April 9-12
May 2
May 16
June 1-5
June 16-24

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the artillery firing please contact Camp Williams at (801) 878-5733.

SR-73 in Saratoga Springs Improvement and Widening
Construction Information
What: UDOT will be widening SR-73 in Saratoga Springs from 800 West to approximately Redwood Road. The completion of this work will result in providing a second west bound lane. After the widening and the intersection improvements are complete, crews will place an asphalt overlay over the entire length of the project.
Where: The project will stretch from 800 West to approximately Redwood Road in Saratoga Springs.
When: Work is schedule to begin April 7, 2009. The project will take approximately 3 months to complete.
What to Expect: The majority of the widening work will take place on the south side of the road with a small portion on the north side. Watch for shoulder work and construction equipment.
Access: There will be minor access restrictions to properties during construction. Crews will work to maintain access throughout the project.
Traffic: One lane in each direction will remain open with turning lanes. Watch for lane shifts and follow the traffic signs, barricaded and flaggers.
Note: Crews will be working six days a week from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Expect traffic delays during the duration of the construction project.

Realities of Construction What to Expect:

• Dust
• Noise and Vibrations
• Traffic Delays
• Modified Access to Properties
• Brief Utility Interruptions
• Construction Traffic

For questions or concerns contact: 1-888-424-8585 or widen73@hotmail.com. If you would like email updates about the SR-73 project, email widen73@hotmail.com.