Medina County Fair takes precautions to keep people safe after swine flu confirmed at other fair

MEDINA, Ohio - As Ohio health officials confirm cases of swine flu virus, Medina County Fair organizers are taking measures to keep fair-goers safe.

While people enjoyed the rides and summer fun, a meeting of the minds was going on behind closed doors at the Medina County Fair to keep the swine flu virus out. The fair board pulled together with county health officials and the local veterinarian to make sure they're on the right track.

"That's the primary thing to educate the public that we don't have a problem here and don't anticipate having a problem," Board President Chuck Stiver said. He said they have placed hand sanitizing stations throughout the barns where animals are located as a precaution.

"We just ask people as they come and go from barns to sanitize their hands," explained Stiver.

Ohio health officials have confirmed nine cases of the swine flu virus linked to an outbreak at the Butler County Fair.

Health officials in Ohio said Thursday that as many as 41 people -- all but two of them children -- have become sick with symptoms like those of a swine flu strain. The cases are linked to the Butler County Fair, which ended last weekend.

"The cases that have been found in Butler County are those individuals who have had direct contact with the pigs," said Medina County health official Krista Wasowski.

The southwest Ohio county's health department has asked local medical providers to be alert to patients with flu symptoms and to ask whether they attended the fair, or have had other contact with hogs or with people who have.

Veterinarian Dr. John Bryk said this virus is different from the H1N1 swine flu from 2009 that was transmitted from human to human and became a widespread pandemic.

"This particular virus, like I said, transfers from pig to human actually transfers from humans to pigs, not human to human," he said.

Dr. Bryk said they have warned 4-H members to keep their hands washed.