SOUTHWEST PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT
1109 North Jackson Street
Albany, Georgia 31701-2022
(229) 430-4599 Fax (229) 430-5143 Emergency 888-430-4590
www.southwestgeorgiapublichealth.org
July 20, 2009 Contact: Carolyn Maschke, Public Information Officer
For Immediate Release 229-430-1969, 229-357-0257; cwmaschke@dhr.state.ga.us
A 16-year-old Dougherty County male has been added to the list of Southwest Health District’s patients confirmed with Pandemic H1N1, says Southwest Health District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant. The teen’s case marks the first time that the novel influenza virus has been confirmed in Dougherty County and raises Southwest Health District’s tally of confirmed cases to 10.
“We were certainly not looking forward to this day, but we expected it, and, unfortunately, we expect to see more evidence that this infection is continuing to spread,” Grant said. “I am pleased to note that this young man, like the majority of H1N1 patients in this country, did not require hospitalization. He is being treated at home, and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
In addition, a 5-year-old Thomas County boy whose diagnosis was confirmed at the Florida Public Health Laboratory has become the eighth Pandemic H1N1 case identified in Thomas County. Colquitt County has the only other confirmed case in the Southwest Health District.
So far, this pandemic is continuing to be a mild to moderate disease, continued Grant, adding that most patients do well receiving care at home.
“Although the teenager resides in Dougherty County, he was identified as part of a Lowndes County investigation,” Grant said. “His situation is similar to cases being seen throughout Georgia and the rest of the country in which children and teens who participate in summer camps and programs are exposed to H1N1.”
To date, Pandemic H1N1 has been seen most commonly in children and young adults, with outbreaks in schools, childcare centers and residential camps. Groups at risk for complications from infections with H1N1 include pregnant women, people with suppressed immune systems or chronic disease, healthcare workers and obese people, she said.
The CDC estimates that a million people have been infected with H1N1 in the United States alone. Pandemic H1N1 has been confirmed in more than 100 countries.
“This strain of H1N1 is a true pandemic in that it has spread across the globe. Since disease investigators know it is everywhere, Public Health’s focus is no longer on tracking the number of cases, but in monitoring for increased severity in the disease,” Grant emphasized. Testing is being performed in three circumstances: when clusters of influenza-like illness occur; on hospitalized patients with influenza-like illness; and by sentinel providers, the healthcare providers who routinely assist Public Health in monitoring seasonal flu.
In Georgia, 181 Pandemic H1N1 cases have been confirmed to date, including one fatality.
There is no vaccine for Pandemic H1N1 at this time. For now the best defense is to practice measures that help prevent the spread of any infectious disease:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- If you are sick with a flu-like illness, stay home until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours.
- Keep sick children at home.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Stay informed – the situation may change rapidly, so listen for Public Health alerts and recommendations.
For more information about swine flu (H1N1) go online to www.southwestgeorgiapublichealth.org, or visit the CDC website, www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.
