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Durham, N.C. ? Duke University officials reported Thursday that there are 14 confirmed cases and more than a dozen suspected cases of influenza among students and counselors participating in summer programs on the Duke campus.
The cases are suspected to be the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, the only strain currently prevalent in the Triangle, officials said. The cases are generally mild and comparable to seasonal influenza, they said.
The confirmed and suspected cases have come from Duke?s Talent Identification Program, American Dance Festival and summer youth programs for science and writing.
?Their symptoms are pretty much what you?d see with other kinds of flu,? Dr. Bill Purdy, director of Duke?s student health center, said in a statement. ?We?ve been working closely with all of the summer programs to identify anyone who may have been exposed and to provide appropriate follow-up. We are evaluating the situation as it evolves and are working with both public health and infectious disease experts to ensure that the summer programs at Duke are safe for all participants.?
Duke will host 75 program sessions this summer, bringing nearly 7,800 students to campus for both day and residential camps to pursue interests in academic subjects, dance, science, writing, sports and other areas.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that summer camps prevent the spread of flu by focusing on early identification of ill campers and staff, keeping those people at home or away from others and practicing good hygiene.
As of June 19, the CDC had reported 21,449 confirmed and probable H1N1 cases nationwide, including 125 in North Carolina. The reported its first swine flu death on Wednesday.
The cases are suspected to be the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, the only strain currently prevalent in the Triangle, officials said. The cases are generally mild and comparable to seasonal influenza, they said.
The confirmed and suspected cases have come from Duke?s Talent Identification Program, American Dance Festival and summer youth programs for science and writing.
?Their symptoms are pretty much what you?d see with other kinds of flu,? Dr. Bill Purdy, director of Duke?s student health center, said in a statement. ?We?ve been working closely with all of the summer programs to identify anyone who may have been exposed and to provide appropriate follow-up. We are evaluating the situation as it evolves and are working with both public health and infectious disease experts to ensure that the summer programs at Duke are safe for all participants.?
Duke will host 75 program sessions this summer, bringing nearly 7,800 students to campus for both day and residential camps to pursue interests in academic subjects, dance, science, writing, sports and other areas.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that summer camps prevent the spread of flu by focusing on early identification of ill campers and staff, keeping those people at home or away from others and practicing good hygiene.
As of June 19, the CDC had reported 21,449 confirmed and probable H1N1 cases nationwide, including 125 in North Carolina. The reported its first swine flu death on Wednesday.
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