Whatcom County has second confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1)
Press Release Date: May 9, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Joe Bates
Phone: (360) 676-6707, Ext. 52510
Cell: (360) 220-6654
E-mail address: JBates@co.whatcom.wa.us
Whatcom County has second confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1)
Bellingham Wa: A second laboratory-confirmed case of novel influenza A (H1N1) has been identified in our community. The Whatcom County Health Department received the results today for an adult female with no history of travel to a community with confirmed cases of the new influenza and no exposure to a known case. She was not hospitalized.
“Our first two confirmed cases have had no known exposure history to the new influenza,” said Whatcom County Health Officer, Dr. Greg Stern. “This is more evidence that the new virus is circulating in Whatcom County, as is the typical seasonal influenza.” Since the new influenza appears at this time to be similar to seasonal influenza in its severity, the Whatcom County Health Department recommends the same control measures for the public, businesses, and health care settings:
If someone is sick with influenza-like symptoms (usually fever with cough, runny nose, or sore throat, muscle aches, and possibly vomiting or diarrhea), he or she should limit contact with other people, stay home from work or school, cover coughs and wash hands. The CDC has recommended staying home for seven days after the onset of symptoms.
People who are not ill should keep at least 3 and preferably 6 feet away from people who appear ill, are coughing or sneezing, and should wash their hands frequently (soap and water are best; alcohol-based hand sanitizer is good for convenience), and avoid touching their eyes, faces, or noses unless they have first washed their hands carefully.
Businesses should make sure standard infection control measures are in place: facial tissue and hand sanitizer available in waiting and work areas, review sick leave policies to assure that ill employees are able to stay home and not infect coworkers, consider rearranging workspaces to allow 3-6 feet between work stations.
There is no need to be tested or treated for mild disease, but these precautions should be used for all possible influenza cases, even if not confirmed by tests.
Public health will continue to monitor the severity of influenza cases, to determine if the new virus is becoming more virulent, and will modify recommendations as needed.
For updates on the novel influenza outbreak, see
www.em.whatcomcounty.org
www.doh.wa.gov/swineflu
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu
www.who.int
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