Not in law enforcement, but in Major League Baseball, an article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram Saturday, July 25, stated that Vicente Padilla, pitcher for the Rangers has been confirmed as having the H1N1 virus. (According to television news, he is the first professional player in any sport that has contacted the virus.) For the past several days, announcers for the Rangers have been mentioning during broadcasts of Rangers games that various players have been ill with flu-like symptoms.

Thad Levine, Assistant General Manager of the Rangers, reported that cultures have been submitted to the health department, but at the present time Padilla is the only team member with the virus, and that he is feeling better and expected to possibly play next Tuesday in Arlington.  Other players have been experiencing flu-like symptoms.  The team is taking all the standard precautions, and after receiving advice from team doctors and MLB officials, will not treat this any differently than common flu.  Tamiflu, a widely-used medicine to fight influenza, has been prescribed to all team members who have had signs of the illness.

Many more of these stories affecting sports teams will probably surface, as it is predicted by health officials that we will be facing the H1N1 virus head-on until a new vaccine can be developed.  Five different U S vaccine makers are working vigorously to produce a vaccine that will help prevent this virus that is spreading throughout the world.

Until then, the best ways to prevent contacting H1N1 are to keep yourself in good condition, wash your hands with warm soap and water, or use hand sanitizer.  Many times germs from viruses remain on doorknobs, cell phones, countertops, stair rails, and other things that are used by more than one person, so pay attention to things you must touch, and again, wash your hands often.

Source: Ft. Worth Star Telegram