Precautions against flu virus in place in Henry Co. - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

15 people in Ohio have confirmed cases of a flu virus found in pigs.  All of the cases are linked to county fairs in the state.  That's why health departments across northwest Ohio have been in close contact with their fair boards to figure out how to keep everyone healthy.

On Friday, thousands of people will flock to Napoleon for the 159th annual Henry County Fair. But recent reports that a swine flu virus called H3N2, is making people sick has the fair board and the health department on alert.

"It's not related to the stomach flu so it would be a fever, cough, sore throat, maybe a runny nose or congestion just kind of those typical flu like symptoms," Julie Lauf, Director of Nursing at the Henry County Health Department, said.

You can't catch H3N2 by simply walking through barn, you actually have to have contact with the animal infected with the virus.  But doctors say there are common sense precautions you can take to keep the family safe.

Rule number one: wash your hands especially after touching the animals.

"We're not telling anyone not to go because we certainly want them to go to the fair, but just do a few things to be proactive," Lauf said.

Dirk Meyer, one of the directors of the fair said, "we're putting in more hand washing stations outside the barns and show arenas.  We've always had them out there but we're adding a few more."

The fairgrounds already have hand sanitizer available.   And thanks to the health department, fairgoers will have reminders posted.  Meyer says every animal will also be checked by a 24-hour vet before being allowed in the barns.

There have been no reports of the virus traveling person to person, only animal to person.  At this point, no one has been hospitalized due to the flu, but Lauf says if you have any of the symptoms, you should see your doctor just to be safe.