News Release 

TOMPKINS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Alice Cole, RN, MSE – Public Health Director

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact: Theresa Lyczko at 274-6714, Alice Cole or Brenda Grinnell Crosby at 274-6674

H1N1 Influenza - Confirmed Case in Tompkins County

Ithaca, NY 14850 (May 28, 2009) – The Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) reports that the New York State Department of Health laboratory confirmed a case of Novel H1N1 Influenza in a Tompkins County adult. The person is recovering at home.

The goal of TCHD is to minimize the spread of the disease in the community. The Department will be notifying close contacts of the individual to educate them about Novel H1N1 influenza and to monitor them for signs of illness.

H1N1 influenza is prevalent throughout New York State affecting numerous counties outside of New York City. “We have been monitoring the situation all along through contact with schools, colleges, health care providers, and Cayuga Medical Center,” said Alice Cole, TCHD Public Health Director. She also added that, “School districts have not been affected by this case and all remain open.”

The symptoms of Novel H1N1 appear to be similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people with Novel H1N1 influenza have also reported diarrhea and vomiting.

Tompkins County residents are reminded to take the following common sense precautions to prevent the spread of respiratory-like illness:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

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 if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.

If you think you need medical attention, call your doctor.

Stay in good general health – get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of liquids and eat nutritious food.

For more information about Novel H1N1 influenza go to the Tompkins County Health Department website: www. tompkins-co.org/health or www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

 

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