Swine Flu hits in Chenango County
NORWICH – According to Chenango County Public Health Director Marcas Flindt, it was only a matter of time before Swine Flu made its way to Chenango County. Yesterday, that time came, with three laboratory-confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus being reported.
“As typical of Swine Flu cases in the United States, all three had mild cases and have recovered,” Flindt said.
An automatic call went out from the Norwich City School District on Thursday, informing all parents in the district that a student had tested positive for the H1N1 virus. Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan confirmed that one student in the middle school had contracted the virus. The student has since been medically cleared and has returned to school.
O’Sullivan explained that the school has followed cleaning procedures rigorously and school nurses are reminding students to follow good hygiene habits as the best way to prevent transmission of the flu. Anyone with questions about the situation at the school can call 334-1600 for more information.
“This is no cause for alarm,” Flindt assured. While the Health Department is continuing to monitor the situation, Flindt said currently there are no other suspected cases in Chenango County. The department has been speaking with school nurses on a daily basis, receiving information from drug stores on the types of medications that are being purchased and have been monitoring the emergency rooms, but to date, Flindt said they have seen no increase in cases with flu-like symptoms.
He explained that in the United States, the H1N1 virus has been relatively mild and common sense precautions can prevent the spread of the illness. Proper hand washing, carrying hand sanitizer and covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing are recommended. “These are all common sense things,” Flindt said.
Chenango County isn’t alone in seeing confirmed cases of the virus. “As of [Wednesday], all of the surrounding counties had confirmed cases,” Flindt said. Otsego County saw a cluster of H1N1 cases, which were identified in Morris Central School District students. As in Chenango County, all of the cases were mild, consisting mainly of fever and body aches. Five of the six students have fully recovered. According to Otsego County Department of Health’s Communicable Disease Coordinator Theresa Oellrich, the sixth student still has a mild temperature.
Oellrich explained that the schools have increased surveillance as a result of the outbreak, and are adhering to the State Education Department’s guidelines, which say anyone with flu-like symptoms should remain out of school for seven days or 24 hours after their symptoms have subsided, whichever is longer.
Otsego County is also waiting for the results of two suspect cases, which were not related to the school system. Locally, no schools have closed as a result of the Swine Flu.
While the typical flu season generally goes through May, the H1N1 virus has extended beyond the usual flu season. However, Flindt said the Health Department will not be doing anything more than they have been doing. Surveillance and monitoring will continue, but Flindt stressed, the confirmed cases are no need for panic.
“On the national level, a vaccine is being developed,” Flindt said. The health director said the vaccine, which will be separate from the typical flu vaccine, could be available by October.
Anyone with questions can contact the Chenango County Health Department at 337-1660.
“As typical of Swine Flu cases in the United States, all three had mild cases and have recovered,” Flindt said.
An automatic call went out from the Norwich City School District on Thursday, informing all parents in the district that a student had tested positive for the H1N1 virus. Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan confirmed that one student in the middle school had contracted the virus. The student has since been medically cleared and has returned to school.
O’Sullivan explained that the school has followed cleaning procedures rigorously and school nurses are reminding students to follow good hygiene habits as the best way to prevent transmission of the flu. Anyone with questions about the situation at the school can call 334-1600 for more information.
“This is no cause for alarm,” Flindt assured. While the Health Department is continuing to monitor the situation, Flindt said currently there are no other suspected cases in Chenango County. The department has been speaking with school nurses on a daily basis, receiving information from drug stores on the types of medications that are being purchased and have been monitoring the emergency rooms, but to date, Flindt said they have seen no increase in cases with flu-like symptoms.
He explained that in the United States, the H1N1 virus has been relatively mild and common sense precautions can prevent the spread of the illness. Proper hand washing, carrying hand sanitizer and covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing are recommended. “These are all common sense things,” Flindt said.
Chenango County isn’t alone in seeing confirmed cases of the virus. “As of [Wednesday], all of the surrounding counties had confirmed cases,” Flindt said. Otsego County saw a cluster of H1N1 cases, which were identified in Morris Central School District students. As in Chenango County, all of the cases were mild, consisting mainly of fever and body aches. Five of the six students have fully recovered. According to Otsego County Department of Health’s Communicable Disease Coordinator Theresa Oellrich, the sixth student still has a mild temperature.
Oellrich explained that the schools have increased surveillance as a result of the outbreak, and are adhering to the State Education Department’s guidelines, which say anyone with flu-like symptoms should remain out of school for seven days or 24 hours after their symptoms have subsided, whichever is longer.
Otsego County is also waiting for the results of two suspect cases, which were not related to the school system. Locally, no schools have closed as a result of the Swine Flu.
While the typical flu season generally goes through May, the H1N1 virus has extended beyond the usual flu season. However, Flindt said the Health Department will not be doing anything more than they have been doing. Surveillance and monitoring will continue, but Flindt stressed, the confirmed cases are no need for panic.
“On the national level, a vaccine is being developed,” Flindt said. The health director said the vaccine, which will be separate from the typical flu vaccine, could be available by October.
Anyone with questions can contact the Chenango County Health Department at 337-1660.
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