Graham County is gearing up for a possible outbreak of swine flu.

Swine flu is a type of influenza that was traced to Mexico, where 160 deaths were reported by press time Friday. The illness has spread to several states, including Arizona, and Europe. As of Friday, only one death was reported in the United States.

Nevertheless, the Arizona Department of Health Services and county health departments are preparing for outbreaks. In the Gila Valley, pharmacies have a limited supply of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu available, and the county should receive a limited supply of the drug from the Strategic National Stockpile within a week, County Health Department Director Neil Karnes said in an e-mail response to questions from the Courier.

“Tamiflu is available by prescription only. A patient must be seen by a physician, and if the patient is diagnosed with seasonal flu or swine flu, then the physician may prescribe Tamiflu,” Karnes said.

Tamiflu must be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. If taken after 48 hours, the drug may not be effective, according to Karnes.

“People that are experiencing severe symptoms or the onset of symptoms outside regular business hours (doctor office hours) can be seen by the ER (emergency room) at the hospital,” Karnes said.

Anyone who is ill should stay home from work, school or other public places.

Karnes also addressed the advisability of wearing face masks.

“We have all seen the pictures from Mexico City of the people on the street wearing face masks. A recommendation from either the CDC (Center for Disease Control) or the State Health Department has not been made as yet with regard to wearing masks in public places,” Karnes said.

He added that anyone who has a compromised immune system or who wants to be extra cautious should consider wearing a face mask. People who have symptoms and cannot avoid being out in public should wear a mask — especially if they are visiting a physician, clinic or other health-care facility.

There are no plans to close public schools in Graham County at this time, according to a news release from the Thatcher School District.

The release states representatives from all area schools and the Graham County Health Department met Friday to review information about swine flu and set consistent handling in the event of a flu outbreak.

The school districts advise keeping children home if they display any of the following symptoms: body aches, fatigue, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, a temperature of 100 degrees or higher, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.

 Hospital takes precautions to guard against flu

The Mount Graham Regional Medical Center is taking steps to deal with any potential outbreak of swine flu, including stricter visitation rules.

“We are constantly in a state of preparation for this,” hospital spokesman Ryan Rapier said, adding, “We’re not allowing visitors under the age of 18.”

All employees have masks and gloves and are taking precautions when treating sick people.

“Any case of flu is going to be watched very closely,” Rapier said.

Patients with flu-like symptoms, such as fever and cough, will be tested with a swab at the hospital to determine if they have influenza. All who test positive will be “reswabbed,” and those samples will be sent to Phoenix to be tested for swine flu, Rapier said.

The Graham County Health Department recommends people who become ill with fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, or develop other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, should contact their health-care provider.