Swine Flu Update, 5/5/09

Last night, it was confirmed that the two Amherst College students whose flu culture samples were sent to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for testing did, in fact, test positive for the H1N1 flu virus. The students, and their classmates who have also been sick, are recovering and doing well.

The Amherst Public Health Department continues to work closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and the CDC in monitoring the situation locally and nationally. “So far, the severity of illness we’re seeing in this country is similar to what we’re seeing with seasonal flu," said Dr. Richard Besser, Acting Director of the CDC. “While we’re not out of the woods, we are seeing some encouraging signs.”

Given the relatively mild course the disease has demonstrated thus far, the CDC is now advising that individuals with mild illness stay at home to recover. However, anyone with concerns is encouraged to contact their healthcare provider for guidance.

Amherst Public Health Director Epi Bodhi advises residents to continue to take the following precautions:

• wash your hands often with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your elbow instead of into your hands
• if you’re sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to avoid infecting them.

Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu is not transmitted by food and you cannot get swine flu by eating pork products.

For general information on swine flu and the status of the nationwide outbreak, visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu. For more information on the Massachusetts response, and how to care for someone at home who has the flu, please visit www.mass.gov/dph/swineflu.

For more information, contact Epi Bodhi at 259-3077 or visit the Amherst Health Department blog: amhersthealth.blogspot.com.

211 Swine Flu Information Line In Operational in MA

As of April 29th, a 24-hour Swine Flu Information Line is now operational throughout Massachusetts. Provided by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the 211 line is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Trained staff will answer your questions about swine flu or refer you to other resources if necessary.

To reach the information line, simply dial 211 from any telephone in Massachusetts. Translators are available for dozens of languages.

As always, please feel free to call the Amherst Public Health Department at 413-259-3007 with questions, comments or concerns. The Health Department is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Swine Flu: Late Update, 4/29/09

BOSTON — The Patrick Administration today announced the first confirmed cases of swine influenza in Massachusetts. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), the patients, two school-age residents of Middlesex County, are considered to have a mild case of the disease and are expected to make a complete recovery. Neither child attended school at any point during their illness, and their parents did not go to work during that time. Massachusetts is the sixth state to have confirmed cases of swine flu; there are now a total of 66 confirmed cases in the United States.

“Fortunately, the patients are not hospitalized and are expected to fully recover,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “We will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with our health officials and others to limit exposure.”

DPH officials continue to take steps to increase surveillance of influenza-like illness in Massachusetts, asking health care providers and hospital emergency departments to be on the lookout for flu-like symptoms — especially in people who have recently traveled to Mexico or any other area which has confirmed cases. If a provider suspects a patient may be infected with swine flu, DPH requests that they perform and submit a swab test for laboratory testing.

“We continue to work closely with partners at the local, state and federal level to monitor the spread of swine flu and act quickly to slow its spread,” said DPH Commissioner John Auerbach. “All Massachusetts residents can play an absolutely vital role in our efforts by taking simple, common-sense precautions to keep from getting and spreading the flu.”

These precautions include:

• wash your hands often with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
  
• cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your elbow instead of into your hands;
  
• if you’re sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to avoid infecting them
  

At the federal level, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have begun shipment of significant quantities of materials to help states including Massachusetts prepare and respondto the spread of swine flu. These materials include antiviral medications for treatment of individuals who are sick, along with other medical equipment and supplies if needed.

Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it’s possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person as well. Swine flu is not transmitted by food and you cannot get swine flu by eating pork products.

For general information on swine flu and the status of the nationwide outbreak, visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu. For more information on the Massachusetts response, and how to care for someone at home who has the flu, please visit www.mass.gov/dph/swineflu.

Swine Flu Update, 4/29/09

From the MA Department of Public Health:

State health officials continue to work closely with partners at the federal, state and local level to respond to the swine flu outbreak in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has declared the outbreak of swine flu a public health emergency.

As part of that declaration, federal officials have begun shipment of significant quantities of materials to help states prepare and respond to the spread of swine flu. These materials include antiviral medications for treatment of individuals who are sick, along with other medical equipment and supplies that may be needed if the current situation changes. Massachusetts will begin receiving initial quantities of these materials in the coming days.

“This is understandably a concerning time for Massachusetts residents who have heard so much about swine flu over the past couple of days,” said DPH Commissioner John Auerbach. “However, I want to assure everyone that our team is working overtime on this matter and I am confident that we are taking all necessary precautions to protect the people of the Commonwealth.”

DPH officials continue to take steps to increase surveillance of influenza-like illness in Massachusetts, asking health care providers and hospital emergency departments to be on the lookout for flu-like symptoms -- especially in people who have recently traveled to Mexico or any of the U.S. states which have confirmed cases. If a provider suspects a patient may be infected with swine flu, DPH requests that they perform and submit a swab test for laboratory testing.

Even though no cases have been identified in Massachusetts, there are steps that everyone can take to prevent getting or spreading any type of influenza: wash your hands often with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your elbow instead of into your hands; and if you’re sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to avoid infecting them.

Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it’s possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person as well. Swine flu is not transmitted by food and you cannot get swine flu by eating pork products.

For general information on swine flu and the status of the nationwide outbreak, visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu. For more information on the Massachusetts response, and how to care for someone at home who has the flu, please visit www.mass.gov/dph.