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State passes 500 cases of H1N1
6/26/2009 9:05:02 AM
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By Jeff Hansel
Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN
Minnesota has seen its 500th case of H1N1 influenza.
H1N1 was first identified on April 15, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On Thursday, the U.S. had reported a total of 21,449 cases and 87 deaths. Media sources, though, report estimates suggest as many as 1 million U.S. residents might been sickened already.
The Minnesota Department of Health reported 545 confirmed cases of H1N1 in the state as of this morning, with 163 people hospitalized.
Internationally, nearly 60,000 people have had confirmed cases, and 263 have died, the World Health Organization says; this includes a Twin Cities child with underlying medical conditions who died the second week of June.
Symptoms of H1N1: Fever, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, runny nose, vomiting and diarrhea. That's different from normal, seasonal influenza, which generally does not include gastro-intestinal symptoms.
Daycare staff: Should evaluate themselves each morning for symptoms, the Department of Health says. They should also watch children for influenza-like symptoms.
Daycare kids: If kids in daycare develop symptoms, they should be sent home, the Health Department says. Get them separated from other kids by at least six feet, preferably in a separate room, until affected kids can be picked up by a parent or guardian. If children -- or staff -- get influenza-like symptoms, they should not go out into the community for seven days.
Health providers: The CDC says health-care personnel are not following infection-control recommendations closely enough. As a result, some health providers are getting sick. Of 26 personnel with H1N1 studied, 13 were infected in the health-care setting. Twelve were likely infected by exposure to patients. One was apparently infected by exposure to another affected staff member.
Infected health providers studied included doctors, nurses, nursing assistants and other staff.
Preventive advice: Health officials advise that you wash your hands often and well, and teach your kids the same. Also, always cough or sneeze into your shirt sleeve elbow. Stay home from work or group activities when sick. Employers should ask workers to stay home if sick.
Reporter Jeff Hansel covers health for the Post-Bulletin. Read his blog, Pulse on Health, at Postbulletin.com.