WCHD
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Contact: Sue Fuller, Community Relations Manager, 815-720-4213
Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2009 - 2:45 pm
For Immediate Release
Second Confirmed Case of Novel H1N1 Influenza in Winnebago County
The Winnebago County Health Department reports today one additional confirmed case of Novel H1N1 influenza. Further, the Department has been notified by IDPH of an additional probable case. This brings the case count to reflect 2 confirmed cases and three probable cases in Winnebago County. The confirmed cases reflect one youth and one adult.
The three probable cases reflect two youths and one adult. Mike Bacon, Public Health Director for Winnebago County, “We are facing an extended influenza season as a result of this new virus, and such, we will likely see some growth in case numbers”.
Based on new information provided on May 5, 2009, on observed illness in school-aged children throughout the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has changed their guidance regarding school closures with a confirmed case of H1N1 Influenza.
CDC recommended consideration of school closure as an option to lessen the risk of infection with this novel influenza virus in order to protect students, staff, parents and other caregivers from a potentially severe disease as well as limit spread into the community. New information on disease severity and the extent of community spread warrant revision of the school closure guidance.
In Winnebago County, the Health Department will continue to work on illness incidence in schools using the newly revise guidance from CDC and the Illinois Department of Public Health. Further, the Health Department supports the decision by Kinnikinnick School District, #131 Superintendent Robert Lauber to reopen school tomorrow, Thursday May 7, 2009.
On other matters, CDC has transferred the capability to conduct confirmatory testing to State public health laboratories including the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services. We hope to hear soon on the pending probable cases that have been identified locally. In the future, it is likely that only positively confirmed tests will be identified.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting today, 20 probable cases and 225 confirmed cases in 13 counties throughout the State of Illinois.
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“Our focus is to keep sick people away from healthy people. Children and/or staff who are sick will need to stay home for seven days from the onset of symptoms, even if symptoms go away sooner. The symptoms of the H1N1 Influenza illness is very similar to seasonal influenza. Those symptoms include fever of 100.4°F or above, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. In some cases vomiting and diarrhea have been reported as a symptom.” states Mike Bacon. The Winnebago County Health Department recommends individuals experiencing these symptoms consult their healthcare provider for further instructions.
Everyone has a role in minimizing the impact of this outbreak. It is very important to teach our children what we all need to do to prevent spread of the virus:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with the crook or your elbow or a tissue.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If water is not near, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs often spread this way.
The Department wants to emphasize individuals can take precautions to stay healthy by following the three C’s: Clean – Properly wash your hands frequently; Cover – Cover your cough and sneeze; Contain – Contain your germs by staying home if you are sick.
The Winnebago County Health Department opened a Phone Bank for Winnebago County residents to call for more information on HINI Flu.
• The Phone Bank number is: (815) 720-4242. Information is provided in both English and Spanish. Approximately 340 calls have come into the Phone Bank since its opening on April 29, 2009.
• The WCHD Phone Bank is open will be open Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm. The Illinois Department of Public Health is operating a Hotline from 6 am – 10 pm daily at 1-866-848-2094 (English) and 1-866-2138 (Espanol)
• The CDC is operating a 24/7 Information Hotline at: 1-800-232-4636.
• For further information, visit CDC at: flu/swine.
• Please visit the WCHD website for local and regularly updated information from many resources at .
# # # - 5/06/09 - 2:45 pm
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