FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Centers for Disease Control report that the H1N1, or swine flu virus, has resulted in increased levels of influenza for May 2009. In the United States, 5,469 cases have been identified as of May 19, with roughly a half dozen cases, and one fatality, in Arkansas. There have been no reported cases at the University of Arkansas. University of Arkansas health officials at the Pat Walker Health Center are monitoring the campus population and are on the lookout for any possible cases of the disease. They remind the campus community that the virus is spread mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus. There is currently no vaccine available to protect against the new H1N1 virus.

Health officials say the best way to protect against the disease is to follow CDC recommendations: cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing; wash your hands frequently with soap and water; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; avoid contact with sick people; and stay home if you are sick.

Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact their health care provider. Travelers should check travel advisories before traveling. An excellent source to track the flu throughout the United States is FluView at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/.

Further up-to-the-minute information about the H1N1 flu, its symptoms and ways to prevent the disease can be found on the Pat Walker Health Center website at: http://health.uark.edu/.