According to Naval Medical Center San Diego officials, all those cases were considered mild. Marine Corps Air Station Miramar personnel have begun taking action for this type of influenza.

  “We are monitoring the situation and coordinating with Marine Corps Installations West, Navy Medicine and I Marine Expeditionary Force in regards to actions taken to protect installation personnel and their families and continue the mission,” said Kevin Kelley, the air station Anti-Terrorism and Force Protection officer.

  The Department of Defense and all segments of the U.S. government are working along with international partners to lessen the impact of the flu.

  Naval Medical Center San Diego and some of the branch clinics in the region have increased surveillance for this flu strain.

  “We are following the guidance passed down from Navy Medical Center San Diego during this time,” said Navy Cmdr. Joseph Aquilina, the department head of Branch Medical aboard the air station.

  According to guidance from Naval Medical Center San Diego, people can stop the spread of the flu by practicing simple procedures such as:

• Covering their nose and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and dispose of the tissue in a waste basket. If a tissue is not available, people can cough or sneeze into their upper sleeve or elbow, and avoid using their hands.

• People should wash their hands with soap and hot water or clean them with alcohol-based sanitizer after coughing or sneezing.

• People who avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouths can reduce their chances of contracting the virus.

• Avoid close contact with those who are sick.

• Those who are sick should avoid work, school, errands or any tasks that can expose others to the sickness.

  Symptoms of the virus are just like the regular flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may also have problems with vomiting and diarrhea. As with the regular flu, people with chronic medical conditions are at risk for more severe illness.

  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both Tamiflu and Relenza are recommended treatments for this flu and can reduce the length of illness; however there is no vaccine for this specific influenza virus. People can get these medicines from their doctor. A person who has contracted flu and needs treatment, should start within two days after they begin feeling sick.

  For more information about the H1N1 flu, visit the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton Web site at https://cpen.med.nsvy.mil or call the hotline at (760) 725-6383. The County has also set up a call center to answer further questions and provide guidance. The center can be reached by dialing 211 and selecting option four.