Swine flu

June 23, 2009 | Uncategorized

June 23 update: Delaware County has had it second confirmed swine-flu case, a camp counselor within the county who has recovered. Also, according to state Department of Health data, Schoharie County now has four cases. As recently as last week, it remained one of the few New York counties without a confirmed case of H1N1 virus.

Safety information

Area public health officials are recommending the public take everyday actions to prevent the spread of germs that can cause influenza and other illnesses. They suggest:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it
• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid close contact with sick people
• If you become sick stay home from work or school and other public places.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are spread this way. If you become ill with flu like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, contact your health provider.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention information

Previous updates

June 15 update: The Otsego County Department of Health reports that there has been 2 cases at Oneonta High School and a total of 10 countywide, though testing has yielded to prevention and awareness as the county’s focus. There may also be a cluster of H1N1 at Cooperstown Central School. None of the illnesses has been severe.

Other confirmed cases, according to the New York state Department of Health, include 1 in Delaware County and 1 in Chenango County, the latter being revised from three cases late last week.

June 11 update: The Otsego County Department of Health reports that there has been a cluster of individuals with influenza-like illness identified in the Morris Central School. The cluster has been identified as H1N1. The students affected have either recovered or are recovering at home. This comes as the World Health Organization has officially declared a worldwide pandemic of the illness.

Other confirmed cases, according to the New York state Department of Health, include 1 in Delaware County and 3 in Chenango County.

June 2 update: Another case in Broome County, and though little identifying information was given, it was noted the individual recently traveled downstate.

June 1 update: As reported by The Daily Star last week, swine flu has reached Otsego County, with the first state-laboratory confirmed case in the four-county area. Officials have not identified the person. There have been nearly 200 cases in the state outside of New York city, including at least one each in Broome, Sullivan and Cortland counties, among others.

May 19 update: While the four-county area remained free of confirmed swine flu, Sullivan County, to the south of Delaware, confirmed its first case. The person is a resident of Liberty. Click for the PDF link to the map of New York state cases.

Monday, May 11 update: Otsego County has again had its suspected swine-flu case test negative after being sent to the state lab.
The Delaware County suspected case was sent to the state lab for testing on or about May 3, with the negative result coming back May 7, according to the county’s public health department.
Test results on a suspected case of swine flu reported by A.O. Fox Hospital were confirmed negative May 1, according to a Fox spokeswoman. A second Otsego County-based suspected case was reported May 7 and confirmed negative May 11.
The first suspected case was sent to the state Public Health Laboratory in Albany for testing on April 30, said Fox spokeswoman Alisha Barbera. Fox will continue active surveillance of patients who are currently hospitalized and those at outpatient facilities, she said.

According to the Evening Sun, a possible case in Chenango County also proved negative. Negative results have also been found in neighboring Broome County, another county that remains without a positive case.

Local government action

The following steps are being taken by the Delaware County Public Health Department (Brochure on swine flu (PDF file)):
• A public health message is being implemented to inform the community on ways to stay healthy and reduce the spread of flu.
• Daily surveillance of all emergency departments continues.
• At this time there has not been an increase in incidence of viral illness in Delaware County.
• The health department staff is available to medical providers, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and the community to provide guidance as needed.

For information about swine flu and precautionary tips, use the following contacts:
• State Department of Health: www.nyhealth.gov or its hotline at (800) 808-1987.
• Delaware County Public Health Department: www.delawarecountypublichealth.com or (800) 520-6024.
• Otsego County Department of Health: 547-4320.

Links and more information

For Google Maps tracking swine flu, click here

What is swine flu? A question-and-answer session

National Swine Flu Situation Page (with live updating)

Red Cross pandemic flu page