TOMPKINS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Alice Cole, RN, MSE – Public Health Director
H1N1 (Swine Flu) in Tompkins County
June 23, 2009
H1N1 (Swine Flu) is present in Tompkins County. This was confirmed on May 28, 2009 when the first suspect case was sent for laboratory confirmation and tested positive for H1N1. Since then, three more cases have tested positive for H1N1. To date, there are four confirmed cases of H1N1 in the County.
As of June 16, 2009 the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has prioritized testing for H1N1. Tests will be sent for laboratory confirmation from people who are hospitalized with an Influenza-Like-Illness or who are part of a community outbreak such as a camp, day care or other congregate setting. The Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) and NYSDOH continue to work closely with Cayuga Medical Center and providers to determine which specimens should be submitted for confirmatory testing and to monitor Influenza-Like-Illness in the community.
When H1N1 or Influenza-Like-Illness is identified, TCHD works closely with the individual’s health care provider, family, and employer to assure that those in close contact are notified of measures they can take to protect themselves. Individual case information is not released to protect confidentiality.
In the early days of the outbreak in New York State and the country, NYSDOH tracked cases more closely to determine the movement of the virus into areas where it had not been identified previously. In late April and early May there were sporadic cases that were linked to someone who had traveled to an endemic area. Now the virus is present in most communities including Tompkins County. Those interested in tracking the number of confirmed cases in New York State including Tompkins County may download a cases-by-county map (pdf, 278K) from the NYSDOH website.
Identification of new cases is not a surprise. We know that H1N1 is here along with other Influenza-Like-Illnesses. And we expect to see more. Counting and reporting cases doesn’t indicate anything new about the virus. The focus has changed to emphasizing prevention and tracking trends to identify any increase in severity of cases.
To date the majority of individuals with H1N1 have experienced mild to moderate symptoms and have recovered at home including the confirmed cases in Tompkins County. Symptoms of H1N1 include fever of 100 degrees F or greater, cough, body aches, chills and fatigue. Some people with H1N1 have experienced vomiting and diarrhea which is not typical of seasonal flu. As with seasonal flu, H1N1 may cause a worsening of chronic medical conditions such as asthma and diabetes among others. (See "Who is at increased risk..." on TCHD's H1N1 Q&A page.)
To prevent the spread of Influenza-Like-Illness and H1N1:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Stay home from work, school, and camp if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours whichever is longer to keep form infecting others. This includes social gatherings, the grocery store and other community settings.
TCHD will provide an H1N1 update on its website every Wednesday after 12:00 pm. These updates may include new information on H1N1 in Tompkins County, the State, and the country. If there is no new information, the update will note that.
More Information
FAQ: H1N1 Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
CDC H1N1 Information and Interim Guidance for Specific Groups
(Links open to CDC Website)
Page updated: April 20, 2011 | Webmaster