Madison Heights, Michigan: 15 Police Officers "call in sick"- 4 June 2009

[colormyquilt]

"One officer airlifted to University of Michigan Hospital...
is in serious condition...one officer tested positive for flu... most likely H1N1...
police department posting signs...beware..."

at link:

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/19660547/detail.html

[HenryN]

Re: Madison Heights, Michigan: 15 Police Officers "call in sick"- 4 June 2009

This outbreak is near the recent fatal case in MI (suburban Detroit).

[colormyquilt]

Madison Heights, MI: Police Officers- Possible Flu Outbreak- 2 June 2009

"15 officers have called in sick...exhibited flu-like symptoms since 26 May 2009...one tested positive for influenza A, of which H1N1 swine flu is a possible strain...
another officer's health worsened...airlifted to U of M Hospital...
they didn't all call in sick but they all have flu-like symptons. Respiratory infections, colds, body aches, chills, fever...the severity varies...given antibiotics..."

at link:

http://www.candgnews.com/Homepage-Ar...olice-sick.asp

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Madison Heights, MI: Police Officers- Possible Flu Outbreak- 2 June 2009

colormyquilt
above story

Possible flu outbreak sweeps Police Department By Andy Kozlowski
C & G Staff Writer
MADISON HEIGHTS — At least 15 officers at the Madison Heights Police Department have either called in sick or exhibited flu-like symptoms since May 26, including one who tested positive for influenza A, of which the H1N1 “swine flu” is a possible strain.
Another officer’s health worsened to the point that he was airlifted from Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Clinton Township to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, where he was in serious condition as of press time.
According to Sgt. Richard Lochbiler of the Madison Heights Police Department, the number of sick officers surged over a three-day period from May 26-28 and continued throughout the week.
“They didn’t all call in sick, but they all have flu-like symptoms. Respiratory infections, colds, body aches, chills, fevers,” said Lochbiler. “The severity varied per person. You might have some person with body aches or cold, a 24-hour deal, then they’re back and fine.”
“Myself, I was given antibiotics right away, and I took a vacation day off to get away. Then after three days I just have a sinus infection lingering, I’m still on antibiotics, and it should be gone in a day,” he added.
Lochbiler noted numerous precautions are being taken at the department to avoid catching and spreading the flu.
“Never before were door handles being wiped right after you touched it, but now everyone’s doing it every time. We’re being told to wipe down everything. Everybody’s being more watchful with what they do,” Lochbiler said.
He added that flyers have been posted around the building detailing safety measures, all police cars have been sanitized, and the cleaning crew has been disinfecting commonly used areas on a regular basis.
George Miller, director of the Oakland County Department of Health and Human Services, commended the Police Department’s handling of the situation.
“They’ve really taken some strong initiative to try and contain it,” Miller said. “This is something they can take care of on their own in regard to sanitation and personal hygiene. They’re doing exactly what our Web site said. They sort of took the ball and ran with it, which is great. We’re glad to hear that.”
The illness does not appear to have spread beyond the Police Department, and most are recovering. The high number of absences required some shifts to be filled, but, Lochbiler said, “nothing was compromised here.
“We have a minimum manpower we keep on the road to protect citizens, and it never went below that. Our services never declined for the public,” he said.

[colormyquilt]

Re: Madison Heights, Michigan: 15 Police Officers "call in sick"- 4 June 2009

Thanks, Sally.

[Shiloh]

Re: Madison Heights, Michigan: 15 Police Officers "call in sick"- 4 June 2009

Source: http://www.wwj.com/Madison-Hts--Officer-Dies/4589350

Posted: Friday, 12 June 2009 9:57AM

Madison Hts. Officer Dies

Madison Heights (WWJ) -- A Madison Heights police officer has died, and there's concern that the officer might have died from Legionnaire's Disease.

The officer was one of 20 people who worked at the department who became sick earlier this month. Initially, officials suspected some sort of flu bug, perhaps even H1N1, also known as swine flu.

However, people close to the department told WWJ have said they are hearing the officer's death is from Legionnaire's Disease.

Police chief Kevin Sagan told WWJ that more information would be available at a 4 p.m. news conference at the police station.

[Shiloh]

Re: Madison Heights, Michigan: 15 Police Officers "call in sick"- 4 June 2009

Source: http://www.freep.com/article/20090612/NEWS03/90612024

Madison Heights cop may have died from H1N1 flu

By Gina Damron • Free Press Staff Writer • June 12, 2009

A Madison Heights police officer — one of about a dozen sickened last month — has died and now the Michigan Department of Community Health is investigating whether the mystery illness was Legionnaires’ disease or the H1N1 virus, also called swine flu.

“What needs to be done is finding out what it was that this police officer died from and then take any type of actions from those results,” said James McCurtis, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Community Health.

The officer’s name has not been released, but McCurtis said he believes he died Thursday night.

The Madison Heights Police Department plans to hold a news conference today at 4 p.m.

McCurtis said the state department likely found out about the possibility of Legionnaires’ disease from either the Oakland County Department of Health and Human Services Division or the officer’s doctors at the University of Michigan Medical Center, where he was hospitalized after getting sick.

The county health department is working with the state and police department as well, McCurtis said.

The illness sickened officers during a nine-day period in May, Madison Heights Mayor Ed Swanson told the Free Press last week. He said the city had hired a cleaning company to disinfect the department, including furniture, computer keyboards, phones and doorknobs.

[colormyquilt]

Re: Madison Heights, MI: Police Officers- Possible Flu Outbreak- 2 June 2009

colormyquilt
above story

Possible flu outbreak sweeps Police Department By Andy Kozlowski
C & G Staff Writer
MADISON HEIGHTS — At least 15 officers at the Madison Heights Police Department have either called in sick or exhibited flu-like symptoms since May 26, including one who tested positive for influenza A, of which the H1N1 “swine flu” is a possible strain.
Another officer’s health worsened to the point that he was airlifted from Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Clinton Township to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, where he was in serious condition as of press time.

We may not get an id or indication as to whether officer who died may have been the one who died.