Gilchrist County Health Department Administrator Sable Bolling announced today the laboratory confirmation of three H1N1 swine flu cases in Gilchrist County.

The cases are in three inmates currently housed at Lancaster Correctional Institute near Trenton, according to Gilchrist County Emergency Management.

The Gilchrist County Health Department continues to monitor the presence of disease activity in the community and is working closely with the facility on infection control measures for both staff and inmates.

“We know that in a small community, people are concerned when they hear of illness, and we want the community to know that we are working with the facility as well as in the community to increase awareness and inform the public of precautions that need to be taken,” Bolling said.

“Lancaster Correctional Institute is taking all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this flu and will continue to work with the Department of Health,” Warden Gerald Roberts said. “Inmates with this illness are receiving appropriate medical care and those who may have been exposed are being isolated and monitored.”

The Gilchrist County Health Department and The Florida Department of Health offer the following recommendations to help decrease the spread of this illness and flu-like illnesses:

* People with respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections, including influenza, to others.
* Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
* Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness.

People experiencing couch, fever and fatigue, and possibly along with diarrhea and vomiting, should contact their physician.

If you think you have influenza, please call your health care provider to discuss whether you need to be seen in their office or the emergency department or stay home.