Thursday, July 30, 2009
DPH monitors 4 probable H1N1 cases
By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Reporter
The Department of Public Health is currently monitoring four probable new cases of H1N1 influenza, which could bring the total number of swine flu cases in the CNMI to six.
However, DPH clarified that there remains only two laboratory confirmed H1N1 cases in the Commonwealth. These are the two cases that were reported early last week-a 16-year-old local boy and a 26-year-old Japanese who recently visited the CNMI.
A probable case of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as a person with an influenza-like illness who is positive for influenza A but negative for H1 and H3 influenza RT-PCR.
A confirmed case of swine-origin influenza A(H1N1) virus infection is defined as a person with an ILI with laboratory confirmed swine-origin A (H1N1) infection by a real-time RT-PCR and/or viral culture.
DPH said the four new probable cases of swine flu were monitored through the different clinics in the CNMI, but they have yet to send the samples to a laboratory in San Antonio, Texas for further evaluation.
Based on the data released by DPH Acting Secretary John Tagabuel yesterday, one of the four probable cases is between the ages of 0 and 4 and the other three are between ages 5 and 24.
One of them had been hospitalized with influenza.
The report by the DPH Emergency Operations Center Jurisdiction Pandemic Influenza Surveillance was dated July 7, 2009
Tagabuel said that DPH has made it clear that there are two laboratory confirmed cases.
But he said DPH is anticipating that H1N1 cases will increase in the CNMI.
?Moreover DPH continues to take and send sample off island and closely monitor H1N1 or Influenza-like illness,? he said.
He said DPH continues to issue guidelines to calm the public's concern by promoting good personal practices such as good hygiene and social distancing/isolation by staying home when a person is not well and has the flu.
DPH monitors 4 probable H1N1 cases
By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Reporter
The Department of Public Health is currently monitoring four probable new cases of H1N1 influenza, which could bring the total number of swine flu cases in the CNMI to six.
However, DPH clarified that there remains only two laboratory confirmed H1N1 cases in the Commonwealth. These are the two cases that were reported early last week-a 16-year-old local boy and a 26-year-old Japanese who recently visited the CNMI.
A probable case of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as a person with an influenza-like illness who is positive for influenza A but negative for H1 and H3 influenza RT-PCR.
A confirmed case of swine-origin influenza A(H1N1) virus infection is defined as a person with an ILI with laboratory confirmed swine-origin A (H1N1) infection by a real-time RT-PCR and/or viral culture.
DPH said the four new probable cases of swine flu were monitored through the different clinics in the CNMI, but they have yet to send the samples to a laboratory in San Antonio, Texas for further evaluation.
Based on the data released by DPH Acting Secretary John Tagabuel yesterday, one of the four probable cases is between the ages of 0 and 4 and the other three are between ages 5 and 24.
One of them had been hospitalized with influenza.
The report by the DPH Emergency Operations Center Jurisdiction Pandemic Influenza Surveillance was dated July 7, 2009
Tagabuel said that DPH has made it clear that there are two laboratory confirmed cases.
But he said DPH is anticipating that H1N1 cases will increase in the CNMI.
?Moreover DPH continues to take and send sample off island and closely monitor H1N1 or Influenza-like illness,? he said.
He said DPH continues to issue guidelines to calm the public's concern by promoting good personal practices such as good hygiene and social distancing/isolation by staying home when a person is not well and has the flu.
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