Florida Department of Health Press Release:

TALLAHASSEE—As of 11 a.m. today, the State of Florida has opened a toll-free telephone service where residents and visitors can call to receive health information about swine flu.

The number for Florida residents to call is 1-800-342-3557.

The line will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until further notice. After hours calls will be handled by an automated service.

As Florida responds to swine flu, the Florida Department of Health offers the following recommendations:

People with respiratory illness or fever should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections, including influenza, to others in the community..

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.
Symptoms of swine flu are rapid onset fever, cough fatigue and in some cases vomiting and diarrhea.

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

Swine flu is not transmitted by food and you cannot get swine flu from eating pork products.

The State of Florida is receiving frequent updates from the CDC, and working with local health departments to monitor the situation and immediately follow up on suspected cases. The Florida Department of Health has created a webpage with information at www.doh.state.fl.us, and the CDC has a web page at www.cdc.gov/swineflu .