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Georgia: Suspect Cases
- Thread starter Legadillo
- Start date
Legadillo
Resident
Re: Georgia: Suspect Cases
Thanks to JimO for the following
The Georgia DoCH website has been updated and is showing 4 deaths, one more than last week.
Time Frame - Hospitalizations - Total Number of Deaths
4/24/09 - 7/29/09 - 44 - 1
7/30/09 - 8/5/09 - 8 - 0
8/6/09 - 8/12/09 - 22 - 2
8/13/09 - 8/19/09 - 27 - 1
Cumulative Total as of 8/19/09 - 101 - 4
__________________
Thanks to JimO for the following
The Georgia DoCH website has been updated and is showing 4 deaths, one more than last week.
Time Frame - Hospitalizations - Total Number of Deaths
4/24/09 - 7/29/09 - 44 - 1
7/30/09 - 8/5/09 - 8 - 0
8/6/09 - 8/12/09 - 22 - 2
8/13/09 - 8/19/09 - 27 - 1
Cumulative Total as of 8/19/09 - 101 - 4
__________________
Legadillo
Resident
Re: Georgia: Suspect Cases
Posted: 5:03 PM Aug 20, 2009
Students at Georgia Southern University test positive for Type A influenza-About 80 students have been evaluated for flu-like symptoms, but only about 18 have tested positive for the Type A influenza.
According to Betsy Nolen, Assistant Director of Communications for Georgia Southern University has confirmed that about 80 students have been evaluated for flu-like symptoms, but only about 18 have tested positive for the Type A influenza. The assumption by medical personnel is that it would be the H1N1 virus but they do not yet have confirmation from the CDC.
When the H1N1 started in April, Georgia Southern created a committee and an action plan for dealing with the virus. The plan includes such things as emails to students, parents, faculty and staff; screening of summer campers; and signs directing people to hand washing stations.
Notifications were sent out last week letting people know that some instances of H1N1 had been found. They were being advised to please stay home if they are sick and to contact the University?s Health Services for help.
On the first two days of classes, faculty handed out flyers. The University is taking all precautions recommended, not because of the severity but because it begins to interfere with daily operations when a lot of people get sick. They have not cancelled classes.
http://www.wrdw.com/health/headlines/53839832.html
Posted: 5:03 PM Aug 20, 2009
Students at Georgia Southern University test positive for Type A influenza-About 80 students have been evaluated for flu-like symptoms, but only about 18 have tested positive for the Type A influenza.
According to Betsy Nolen, Assistant Director of Communications for Georgia Southern University has confirmed that about 80 students have been evaluated for flu-like symptoms, but only about 18 have tested positive for the Type A influenza. The assumption by medical personnel is that it would be the H1N1 virus but they do not yet have confirmation from the CDC.
When the H1N1 started in April, Georgia Southern created a committee and an action plan for dealing with the virus. The plan includes such things as emails to students, parents, faculty and staff; screening of summer campers; and signs directing people to hand washing stations.
Notifications were sent out last week letting people know that some instances of H1N1 had been found. They were being advised to please stay home if they are sick and to contact the University?s Health Services for help.
On the first two days of classes, faculty handed out flyers. The University is taking all precautions recommended, not because of the severity but because it begins to interfere with daily operations when a lot of people get sick. They have not cancelled classes.
http://www.wrdw.com/health/headlines/53839832.html
Legadillo
Resident
Re: Georgia: Suspect Cases
Update on McDuffie kids with H1N1:
Officials urge taking calm approach to flu
Four swine flu cases confirmed
By BILLY W. HOBBS and LYNN DAVIDSON
Staff Writers
Though several confirmed cases of the swine flu or H1N1 have hit McDuffie County, health officials along with physicians are urging the public not to panic, but to remain calm.
Dr. Daryl Wiley, a member of the McDuffie County Health Board, talks about swine flu cases during a meeting last Friday. Four cases in the county have been confirmed.
Click photo for larger imageAt least four confirmed cases of the swine flu have been reported in recent days, Dr. Daryl Wiley told officials during a special called meeting of the health board Friday afternoon.
Dr. Wiley, who also is a member of the local health board, said he anticipates more flu cases.
"The four confirmed cases in our office were children," said Dr. Wiley, noting that his office has treated several patients with flu symptoms.
The four patients -- two girls and two boys, ages one month, 6, 7 and 12 -- were treated with medication. "They are doing fine right now," Dr. Wiley said.
He explained that Dr. Susan Land also reported that a patient came into her office with flu-like symptoms last Friday.
"We thought it best to go ahead and inform everyone about this so we could avoid any panic in our community," Dr. Wiley said. "We want everyone to remain calm and to understand what to do if they get these flu-like symptoms."
Because three of the four confirmed patients were school-aged students, health officials also invited McDuffie County School Superintendent Jim LeBrun to the meeting. Parents whose children are feeling sick and running a fever are advised to keep their children home and to seek medical attention. The same goes for teachers, bus drivers and other personnel with the school system, Mr. LeBrun said.
Local officials said there is no need to close schools, which coincides with the stance of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.
"The CDC does not want schools to close," Dr. Wiley said.
Students or employees of the school system who have had the flu are being told not to return to school or work until their fever is gone and they are no longer on any medication for at least 24 hours.
At many of the schools, there are sanitizing stations set up for anyone to better safeguard against getting the flu by washing their hands often.
Robin Dudley, chairwoman of the local health board and a health teacher at Thomson High School, said the school system offers foams and gel stations throughout the school, including in the lunchroom.
"Handwashing is the key to combating any infectious diseases," Dr. Wiley emphasized. "Five to seven days is the normal running course for this flu."
Like any other bacterial flu, there is a chance of death if symptoms are left untreated and the condition of the patient worsens, Dr. Wiley pointed out.
Worldwide, the H1N1 flu is expected to claim between 35,000 and 40,000 lives this year, he said.
"It can be very serious," Dr. Wiley said.
Thus far medical experts say this flu is attacking children as opposed to the elderly, who are affected most by other flu viruses.
"The mortality rate with this particular flu is higher with the age group 29-49," Dr. Wiley said.
A sudden jump in temperature with the patient becoming more lethargic and experiencing problems urinating could spell very serious problems.
"Those are the ones getting in big, big time trouble," Dr. Wiley said, noting that children seem to get sick much quicker than adults.
Update on McDuffie kids with H1N1:
Officials urge taking calm approach to flu
Four swine flu cases confirmed
By BILLY W. HOBBS and LYNN DAVIDSON
Staff Writers
Though several confirmed cases of the swine flu or H1N1 have hit McDuffie County, health officials along with physicians are urging the public not to panic, but to remain calm.
Dr. Daryl Wiley, a member of the McDuffie County Health Board, talks about swine flu cases during a meeting last Friday. Four cases in the county have been confirmed.
Click photo for larger imageAt least four confirmed cases of the swine flu have been reported in recent days, Dr. Daryl Wiley told officials during a special called meeting of the health board Friday afternoon.
Dr. Wiley, who also is a member of the local health board, said he anticipates more flu cases.
"The four confirmed cases in our office were children," said Dr. Wiley, noting that his office has treated several patients with flu symptoms.
The four patients -- two girls and two boys, ages one month, 6, 7 and 12 -- were treated with medication. "They are doing fine right now," Dr. Wiley said.
He explained that Dr. Susan Land also reported that a patient came into her office with flu-like symptoms last Friday.
"We thought it best to go ahead and inform everyone about this so we could avoid any panic in our community," Dr. Wiley said. "We want everyone to remain calm and to understand what to do if they get these flu-like symptoms."
Because three of the four confirmed patients were school-aged students, health officials also invited McDuffie County School Superintendent Jim LeBrun to the meeting. Parents whose children are feeling sick and running a fever are advised to keep their children home and to seek medical attention. The same goes for teachers, bus drivers and other personnel with the school system, Mr. LeBrun said.
Local officials said there is no need to close schools, which coincides with the stance of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.
"The CDC does not want schools to close," Dr. Wiley said.
Students or employees of the school system who have had the flu are being told not to return to school or work until their fever is gone and they are no longer on any medication for at least 24 hours.
At many of the schools, there are sanitizing stations set up for anyone to better safeguard against getting the flu by washing their hands often.
Robin Dudley, chairwoman of the local health board and a health teacher at Thomson High School, said the school system offers foams and gel stations throughout the school, including in the lunchroom.
"Handwashing is the key to combating any infectious diseases," Dr. Wiley emphasized. "Five to seven days is the normal running course for this flu."
Like any other bacterial flu, there is a chance of death if symptoms are left untreated and the condition of the patient worsens, Dr. Wiley pointed out.
Worldwide, the H1N1 flu is expected to claim between 35,000 and 40,000 lives this year, he said.
"It can be very serious," Dr. Wiley said.
Thus far medical experts say this flu is attacking children as opposed to the elderly, who are affected most by other flu viruses.
"The mortality rate with this particular flu is higher with the age group 29-49," Dr. Wiley said.
A sudden jump in temperature with the patient becoming more lethargic and experiencing problems urinating could spell very serious problems.
"Those are the ones getting in big, big time trouble," Dr. Wiley said, noting that children seem to get sick much quicker than adults.
Legadillo
Resident
Re: Georgia: Suspect Cases
Well, my son came home sick from school (stomach issues) here in Richmond Hill, GA (Southeastern Georgia) and states that they will be disinfecting his school this week. Interesting! Makes me wonder if they know something I don' know. We are currenly in the throws of H1N1 in our community (like most others in the US). Will inform you all how it develops.
Commentary
Widespread Pandemic H1N1 School Outbreaks in Southern US
Recombinomics Commentary 22:15
August 20, 2009
A total of 122 Camden County High School students visited the school nurse's office and several of those were sent home because they were displaying flu-like symptoms on Monday, she said.
There are also two elementary schools - Mamie Lou Gross Elementary and St. Marys Elementary - that reported sending home a high number of students home after they were confirmed to have flu-like symptoms. Mamie Lou Gross Elementary off Harrietts Bluff Road has been reporting fevers and St. Marys Elementary students are suffering from stomach symptoms.
"When I spoke with the office at Mamie Lou Gross Elementary, they had 12 students waiting to see the school nurse at that moment," Smiley said. "There have been a lot of fevers hitting these schools very hard."
Elaine Smiley, health systems coordinator for the school district, said about 10 percent of the estimated 1,000 Camden Middle School enrollment was absent Tuesday from the outbreak.
School nurses have also seen an increase in children who have flu-like symptoms, including fevers of more than 100 degrees, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing, she said. Other symptoms include runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
The above comments describe large outbreaks of swine flu at the elementary, middle, and high school level of a school district in southern Georgia (see map). Although some officials have noted that many of the students were influenza A positive, but had not been swine flu confirmed, 99% of influenza A cases in the United States at this time of year are swine flu, and the symptoms described signal a large and widespread outbreak.
Outbreaks such as the one described above are usually associated with seasonal flu in the dead of winter, but these outbreaks began in the summer, right after the start of the new school year. Similar outbreaks are being described throughout the southern United States, where many schools have started a new school year (see map). Large outbreaks are expected nationwide, as students return to the school in the next few weeks.
Most schools are following CDC recommendations and remaining open, while offering guidance centered on keeping ill students at home. However, these guidelines are tightly linked to a fever, which is in the CDC H1N1 swine flu case definition. The association of fever with swine flu infections is tenuous, and some countries like Chile, are reporting 50% of patients without fever, even in more severe cases. Similarly, initial data from Mexico also noted that 30% of confirmed cases did not have a fever, raising concerns that these figures are low, and most infections have no or low fever.
The above figures are likely to be significant undercounts, because most physicians, as well as patients, associate a fever with flu. Thus, mild cases are unlikely to seek medical treatment, and those that do seek treatment are unlikely to be tested because of no fever. The CDC includes fever it the pandemic H1N1 case definition, so the frequency is high, but even with fever in the case definition, 7% of confirmed cases have no fever.
Thus, the policy of keeping schools open, and using fever as one of the key symptoms, may lead to extensive spread by patients who have low or no fever. Moreover, most of the students have mild illnesses, so they are not tested, which may allow important genetic changes to silently spread. One such change is H274Y, which confers Tamiflu resistance. Many of the confirmed cases have quickly developed resistance, raising concerns the H274Y is widespread, but present as a minor species which is largely undetected in samples collected prior to Tamiflu treatment. Media reports described Tamiflu resistance in patients in Texas along the Mexican border, and such cases may be silently spreading, due in part to limited testing.
Thus, these initial outbreaks in multiple school districts across the south raises concerns that similar large outbreaks will be reported in northern regions, and worldwide, as the new school season begins nationwide.
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/08200901/H1N1_South_School.html
Well, my son came home sick from school (stomach issues) here in Richmond Hill, GA (Southeastern Georgia) and states that they will be disinfecting his school this week. Interesting! Makes me wonder if they know something I don' know. We are currenly in the throws of H1N1 in our community (like most others in the US). Will inform you all how it develops.
Commentary
Widespread Pandemic H1N1 School Outbreaks in Southern US
Recombinomics Commentary 22:15
August 20, 2009
A total of 122 Camden County High School students visited the school nurse's office and several of those were sent home because they were displaying flu-like symptoms on Monday, she said.
There are also two elementary schools - Mamie Lou Gross Elementary and St. Marys Elementary - that reported sending home a high number of students home after they were confirmed to have flu-like symptoms. Mamie Lou Gross Elementary off Harrietts Bluff Road has been reporting fevers and St. Marys Elementary students are suffering from stomach symptoms.
"When I spoke with the office at Mamie Lou Gross Elementary, they had 12 students waiting to see the school nurse at that moment," Smiley said. "There have been a lot of fevers hitting these schools very hard."
Elaine Smiley, health systems coordinator for the school district, said about 10 percent of the estimated 1,000 Camden Middle School enrollment was absent Tuesday from the outbreak.
School nurses have also seen an increase in children who have flu-like symptoms, including fevers of more than 100 degrees, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing, she said. Other symptoms include runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
The above comments describe large outbreaks of swine flu at the elementary, middle, and high school level of a school district in southern Georgia (see map). Although some officials have noted that many of the students were influenza A positive, but had not been swine flu confirmed, 99% of influenza A cases in the United States at this time of year are swine flu, and the symptoms described signal a large and widespread outbreak.
Outbreaks such as the one described above are usually associated with seasonal flu in the dead of winter, but these outbreaks began in the summer, right after the start of the new school year. Similar outbreaks are being described throughout the southern United States, where many schools have started a new school year (see map). Large outbreaks are expected nationwide, as students return to the school in the next few weeks.
Most schools are following CDC recommendations and remaining open, while offering guidance centered on keeping ill students at home. However, these guidelines are tightly linked to a fever, which is in the CDC H1N1 swine flu case definition. The association of fever with swine flu infections is tenuous, and some countries like Chile, are reporting 50% of patients without fever, even in more severe cases. Similarly, initial data from Mexico also noted that 30% of confirmed cases did not have a fever, raising concerns that these figures are low, and most infections have no or low fever.
The above figures are likely to be significant undercounts, because most physicians, as well as patients, associate a fever with flu. Thus, mild cases are unlikely to seek medical treatment, and those that do seek treatment are unlikely to be tested because of no fever. The CDC includes fever it the pandemic H1N1 case definition, so the frequency is high, but even with fever in the case definition, 7% of confirmed cases have no fever.
Thus, the policy of keeping schools open, and using fever as one of the key symptoms, may lead to extensive spread by patients who have low or no fever. Moreover, most of the students have mild illnesses, so they are not tested, which may allow important genetic changes to silently spread. One such change is H274Y, which confers Tamiflu resistance. Many of the confirmed cases have quickly developed resistance, raising concerns the H274Y is widespread, but present as a minor species which is largely undetected in samples collected prior to Tamiflu treatment. Media reports described Tamiflu resistance in patients in Texas along the Mexican border, and such cases may be silently spreading, due in part to limited testing.
Thus, these initial outbreaks in multiple school districts across the south raises concerns that similar large outbreaks will be reported in northern regions, and worldwide, as the new school season begins nationwide.
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/08200901/H1N1_South_School.html
Legadillo
Resident
Re: Georgia: Suspect Cases
More Students Out Sick with "Flu-Like" Symptoms
Vanessa Ruffes 1 hr ago
You might have noticed more kids are staying home from school sick and are a little concerned.
Many of you have called or emailed 13WMAZ, letting us know what you have seen or heard about illnesses in your child's school, and are asking particularly about swine flu.
13WMAZ took all your calls and emails, called those school districts, and found out flu-like symptoms are up, but there are no new cases of swine flu confirmed in the schools.
Bibb County Schools report no change in the number of students out sick.
Houston County Schools say they have seen a slight increase in sick students, but some have seasonal flu or have been diagnosed with mono or a stomach virus.
Crawford County Schools say they have had some students out sick, but none with swine flu.
Baldwin County Schools have seen a slight increase in students out sick, mostly in Middle and High School, but no swine flu cases confirmed.
The North Central Health District says, so far, there are no new cases of swine flu confirmed in Central Georgia, and these students could have seasonal flu or an illness that has similar symptoms to the flu.
"Particularly now with school starting, we're hearing at least anecdotal reports of flu cases. Some of those may not be flu cases," said Karen Ebey-Tessendorf, Emergency Preparedness Director for the North Central Health District. "They may just be other illnesses that people are calling the flu. We do know that there is more flu now in this August than we would typically see in the month of August other years."
The North Central Health District said the most important thing you can do if you or your child is sick with swine flu, or any type of flu for that matter, is stay home.
You should avoid contact with others until 24 hours after the fever is over, without using fever-reducing medicine.
So far, there are five confirmed cases of swine flu in Central Georgia. That number has not changed since last month, but the North Central Health District said that does not mean there could not be more unconfirmed cases out there.
http://www.13wmaz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=68166&catid=153
More Students Out Sick with "Flu-Like" Symptoms
Vanessa Ruffes 1 hr ago
You might have noticed more kids are staying home from school sick and are a little concerned.
Many of you have called or emailed 13WMAZ, letting us know what you have seen or heard about illnesses in your child's school, and are asking particularly about swine flu.
13WMAZ took all your calls and emails, called those school districts, and found out flu-like symptoms are up, but there are no new cases of swine flu confirmed in the schools.
Bibb County Schools report no change in the number of students out sick.
Houston County Schools say they have seen a slight increase in sick students, but some have seasonal flu or have been diagnosed with mono or a stomach virus.
Crawford County Schools say they have had some students out sick, but none with swine flu.
Baldwin County Schools have seen a slight increase in students out sick, mostly in Middle and High School, but no swine flu cases confirmed.
The North Central Health District says, so far, there are no new cases of swine flu confirmed in Central Georgia, and these students could have seasonal flu or an illness that has similar symptoms to the flu.
"Particularly now with school starting, we're hearing at least anecdotal reports of flu cases. Some of those may not be flu cases," said Karen Ebey-Tessendorf, Emergency Preparedness Director for the North Central Health District. "They may just be other illnesses that people are calling the flu. We do know that there is more flu now in this August than we would typically see in the month of August other years."
The North Central Health District said the most important thing you can do if you or your child is sick with swine flu, or any type of flu for that matter, is stay home.
You should avoid contact with others until 24 hours after the fever is over, without using fever-reducing medicine.
So far, there are five confirmed cases of swine flu in Central Georgia. That number has not changed since last month, but the North Central Health District said that does not mean there could not be more unconfirmed cases out there.
http://www.13wmaz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=68166&catid=153
Legadillo
Resident
Re: Georgia: Suspect Cases
Georgia Southern students concerned about H1N1
Posted: Aug 20, 2009 6:07 PM EDT
STATESBORO, GA (WTOC) - Georgia Southern University Student Health Center medical director Dr. Brian DeLoach told WTOC that since Monday 50 people have complained of flu like symptoms.
Twenty five of those are confirmed to have Influenza A, a strain of the flu linked to H1N1. But there is still no confirmation of swine flu.
Rumors of H1N1 around campus spread almost as quickly as the virus itself. "I haven't really been to my sorority house a whole lot, because I know that's a common area. So I stick to myself for awhile, especially when there's an outbreak like that," said graduate student Kelsey Grubbs.
Grubbs is also the former president of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. Greek row has been the target of the suspected outbreaks. "There have been a few sorority houses that have had several outbreaks," said Grubbs. "Fifteen girls in a sorority get sick, but that's just because they're together all the time."
And according to Dr. DeLoach, they're not alone. "We have seen it in Greek groups, but we've probably seen as many cases or an equal number, or close to that, outside those organizations," he explained.
Dr. Deloach stressed so far, none of those flu cases are H1N1. And the flu cases they have seen have been mild. But he expects to see more. "We're not as concerned about how sick people might get, but how many people will get sick at one time."
With fall classes just beginning, H1N1 prevention is just as popular as the students studies. But it's also easing their fears. "The more I saw of it, the more I realize its not as bad as people make it out to be," said Kelsey. "The people that I talked to that had it, usually bounce back pretty quickly."
Georgia Southern Health officials have sent three cultures to the state lab. They should have results next week.
They say safety for their students is their top priority. Which is why students who present with flu like symptoms at the campus health clinic are sent home with a mask. They're also given strict instructions not to leave their rooms until 24 hours after their fevers have passed.
Georgia Southern also said they've been planning for a pandemic, even before H1N1 made news. For more on their plans, visit http:/services.georgiasouthern.edu/health.
GSU also has established a Swine Flu Hotline to enable the university to evaluate facts, respond appropriately, and communicate actions as needed to the campus community.
http://www.wtoctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10965911
Georgia Southern students concerned about H1N1
Posted: Aug 20, 2009 6:07 PM EDT
STATESBORO, GA (WTOC) - Georgia Southern University Student Health Center medical director Dr. Brian DeLoach told WTOC that since Monday 50 people have complained of flu like symptoms.
Twenty five of those are confirmed to have Influenza A, a strain of the flu linked to H1N1. But there is still no confirmation of swine flu.
Rumors of H1N1 around campus spread almost as quickly as the virus itself. "I haven't really been to my sorority house a whole lot, because I know that's a common area. So I stick to myself for awhile, especially when there's an outbreak like that," said graduate student Kelsey Grubbs.
Grubbs is also the former president of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. Greek row has been the target of the suspected outbreaks. "There have been a few sorority houses that have had several outbreaks," said Grubbs. "Fifteen girls in a sorority get sick, but that's just because they're together all the time."
And according to Dr. DeLoach, they're not alone. "We have seen it in Greek groups, but we've probably seen as many cases or an equal number, or close to that, outside those organizations," he explained.
Dr. Deloach stressed so far, none of those flu cases are H1N1. And the flu cases they have seen have been mild. But he expects to see more. "We're not as concerned about how sick people might get, but how many people will get sick at one time."
With fall classes just beginning, H1N1 prevention is just as popular as the students studies. But it's also easing their fears. "The more I saw of it, the more I realize its not as bad as people make it out to be," said Kelsey. "The people that I talked to that had it, usually bounce back pretty quickly."
Georgia Southern Health officials have sent three cultures to the state lab. They should have results next week.
They say safety for their students is their top priority. Which is why students who present with flu like symptoms at the campus health clinic are sent home with a mask. They're also given strict instructions not to leave their rooms until 24 hours after their fevers have passed.
Georgia Southern also said they've been planning for a pandemic, even before H1N1 made news. For more on their plans, visit http:/services.georgiasouthern.edu/health.
GSU also has established a Swine Flu Hotline to enable the university to evaluate facts, respond appropriately, and communicate actions as needed to the campus community.
http://www.wtoctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10965911
Legadillo
Resident
Re: Georgia: Suspect Cases
Shiloh is credited for this article:
7-Year-Old Ga. Boy Dies Of Swine Flu
Updated: 10:00 pm EDT August 20, 2009
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. -- Channel 2 Action News has confirmed that a 7-year-old boy from Ellijay has died of H1N1 or swine flu.
The Georgia Department of Health said the boy had an underlying medical condition.
WSB-TV checked the state health department's Web site, and four people have died of swine flu in Georgia this year.
The Gilmer County School System has not commented on this boy’s death.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/20485050/detail.html
ALSO:
NE Ga.'s 1st reported swine flu death
By Ken Stanford
ATLANTA - State health officials are confirming a seven year old in Gilmer County has died of swine flu. . .the first reported H1N1 death in northeast Georgia.
They say underlying medical issues contributed to the Ellijay boy's death. The state Health Department reports four deaths this year and more than a hundred hospitalizations from the H1N1 flu virus. Health officials have urged schools to take extra precautions against swine flu as researchers race to get a vaccine ready for distribution.
Researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are currently conducting human tests on a swine flu vaccine and are hoping it'll be ready for distribution by mid-October.
So far, Gilmer County school officials have not commented on the boy's death.
http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=222607
Shiloh is credited for this article:
7-Year-Old Ga. Boy Dies Of Swine Flu
Updated: 10:00 pm EDT August 20, 2009
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. -- Channel 2 Action News has confirmed that a 7-year-old boy from Ellijay has died of H1N1 or swine flu.
The Georgia Department of Health said the boy had an underlying medical condition.
WSB-TV checked the state health department's Web site, and four people have died of swine flu in Georgia this year.
The Gilmer County School System has not commented on this boy’s death.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/20485050/detail.html
ALSO:
NE Ga.'s 1st reported swine flu death
By Ken Stanford
ATLANTA - State health officials are confirming a seven year old in Gilmer County has died of swine flu. . .the first reported H1N1 death in northeast Georgia.
They say underlying medical issues contributed to the Ellijay boy's death. The state Health Department reports four deaths this year and more than a hundred hospitalizations from the H1N1 flu virus. Health officials have urged schools to take extra precautions against swine flu as researchers race to get a vaccine ready for distribution.
Researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are currently conducting human tests on a swine flu vaccine and are hoping it'll be ready for distribution by mid-October.
So far, Gilmer County school officials have not commented on the boy's death.
http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=222607
Legadillo
Resident
Re: Georgia: Suspect Cases
This is the 3rd university with H1N1 in 2 weeks.
CSU student diagnosed with swine flu
Sara Pauff
Friday, Aug. 21, 2009
A Columbus State University students has tested positive for the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu.
The university sent out a health alert to students, faculty and staff at the college on Aug. 20, stating that the Georgia Public Health Laboratory had notified the college. The diagnosis was made before the student ever attended a class on campus and the student is expected to recover, according to the alert.
State and local public health officials are monitoring the situation at CSU, as well as at other Georgia universities that have been dealing with multiple confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza.
The Centers for Disease Control is not recommending that institutions cancel or dismiss classes or other large gatherings at this time.
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/breaking_news/story/814278.html
This is the 3rd university with H1N1 in 2 weeks.
CSU student diagnosed with swine flu
Sara Pauff
Friday, Aug. 21, 2009
A Columbus State University students has tested positive for the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu.
The university sent out a health alert to students, faculty and staff at the college on Aug. 20, stating that the Georgia Public Health Laboratory had notified the college. The diagnosis was made before the student ever attended a class on campus and the student is expected to recover, according to the alert.
State and local public health officials are monitoring the situation at CSU, as well as at other Georgia universities that have been dealing with multiple confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza.
The Centers for Disease Control is not recommending that institutions cancel or dismiss classes or other large gatherings at this time.
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/breaking_news/story/814278.html
Legadillo
Resident
Re: Georgia: Suspect Cases
Swine Flu Confirmed At Metro Atlanta High School
Updated: 1:18 pm EDT August 21, 2009
ATLANTA -- A case of swine flu has been confirmed at Atlanta's Grady High School, Channel 2 Action News has learned.
The student stayed home while he was sick, according to Atlanta Public Schools spokesman Keith Bromery.
That complies with the new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control on dealing with swine flu.
"This particular strain of the flu mirrors the normal seasonal flu so their recommendation is you treat it like that," said Bromery.
But some parents are upset they weren't notified a student was sick with swine flu.
"I believe I should've been notified when this one student had it," said Elise Maloof, mother of a Grady student.
Bromery said if there are more cases of swine flu at one school, the district will notify parents. But he said it would take multiple cases to close a school.
"You do not shut down whole shools for one or two isolated cases," said Bromery.
According to Georgia health officials, there have been four swine flu deaths in the state this year, including a 7-year-old in Gilmer County.
There have been 477 deaths nationwide blamed on swine flu.
Swine Flu Confirmed At Metro Atlanta High School
Updated: 1:18 pm EDT August 21, 2009
ATLANTA -- A case of swine flu has been confirmed at Atlanta's Grady High School, Channel 2 Action News has learned.
The student stayed home while he was sick, according to Atlanta Public Schools spokesman Keith Bromery.
That complies with the new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control on dealing with swine flu.
"This particular strain of the flu mirrors the normal seasonal flu so their recommendation is you treat it like that," said Bromery.
But some parents are upset they weren't notified a student was sick with swine flu.
"I believe I should've been notified when this one student had it," said Elise Maloof, mother of a Grady student.
Bromery said if there are more cases of swine flu at one school, the district will notify parents. But he said it would take multiple cases to close a school.
"You do not shut down whole shools for one or two isolated cases," said Bromery.
According to Georgia health officials, there have been four swine flu deaths in the state this year, including a 7-year-old in Gilmer County.
There have been 477 deaths nationwide blamed on swine flu.
Legadillo
Resident
Re: Georgia: Suspect Cases
Thomson High School football player has swine flu
Thomson High School's football coach tells News 12 fifteen football players have flu like symptoms, one is confirmed to have the H1N1 virus.
August 23, 2009
THOMSON, Ga -- Thomson High School's football coach tells News 12 fifteen football players have flu like symptoms, one is confirmed to have the H1N1 virus.
Head coach Luther Welsh says it's suspected some of the other sick players may also have the virus.
Welsh says the team is disinfecting all of the gear both before and after practice as a precaution.
News 12's Ryan Calhoun is in Thomson this afternoon working on this developing story. He'll tell you tonight on News 12 at 11 what steps the team is taking to keep other players healthy, and what this could mean for the Bulldog's season as well as what it could mean for the opposing teams their scheduled to play.
http://www.wrdw.com/sports/headlines/54351592.html
Thomson High School football player has swine flu
Thomson High School's football coach tells News 12 fifteen football players have flu like symptoms, one is confirmed to have the H1N1 virus.
August 23, 2009
THOMSON, Ga -- Thomson High School's football coach tells News 12 fifteen football players have flu like symptoms, one is confirmed to have the H1N1 virus.
Head coach Luther Welsh says it's suspected some of the other sick players may also have the virus.
Welsh says the team is disinfecting all of the gear both before and after practice as a precaution.
News 12's Ryan Calhoun is in Thomson this afternoon working on this developing story. He'll tell you tonight on News 12 at 11 what steps the team is taking to keep other players healthy, and what this could mean for the Bulldog's season as well as what it could mean for the opposing teams their scheduled to play.
http://www.wrdw.com/sports/headlines/54351592.html
Legadillo
Resident
Re: Georgia: Suspect Cases
and the hits keep coming....
Swine flu suspected --Ill child attends private school
By Julie Arrington
Staff Writer
POSTED Aug. 23, 2009 2 p.m.
Recent reports that a Forsyth County private school student had come down with the flu show just how seriously officials are taking the H1N1 virus.
Angela Martin, owner of Cornerstone Schools on Browns Bridge Road, confirmed Friday that a seventh-grader there was ill.
She said doctors suspect it may be the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, though that diagnosis has not been confirmed.
?We just told our parents to be watching out for symptoms,? Martin said. ?The doctor said, ?Anybody that gets the flu, we just tell them its swine flu.??
She said the doctor recommended that the child stay out of school for seven days.
As of July 15, there had been six confirmed cases and no deaths from swine flu in Forsyth County, said Dave Palmer, spokesman for the Georgia Division of Public Health District 2.
Palmer said the state has since stopped breaking down the numbers by county, instead recording only the cases that have resulted in hospital stays or deaths. Statewide there have been 101 hospitalizations and four deaths resulting from swine flu.
Palmer said those who are hospitalized for more common flu types are tested for the H1N1 virus.
?When people go in and they have the symptoms of flu, the physician will treat them for influenza and they may do the rapid test to determine if it?s [Type A or Type B],? Palmer said, adding that H1N1 is a Type A flu.
?We?re not doing that further testing on mild and moderate cases, only the ones severe enough to be hospitalized.?
Citing figures from the Center for Disease Control, Palmer said 90 percent of Type A flu tests come back positive for the H1N1 virus.
?So they think that a high portion of folks with influenza have the H1N1 virus,? he said.
The virus is being treated like all communicable diseases, including chicken pox or the traditional Type A flu.
In confirmed cases, parents are asked to keep their child home for 24 hours after a fever breaks. Letters are sent to parents of classmates to inform them of the illness.
Forsyth County school system officials met earlier this month with state Sen. Jack Murphy to discuss the district?s preparations for the virus.
As chairman of the Senate Public Safety Committee, Murphy has been briefed by the state Emergency Management Agency on H1N1 virus preparedness.
The Cumming Republican said he was pleased at how well prepared the school district was to handle an emergency.
http://www.forsythnews.com/news/article/3215/
and the hits keep coming....
Swine flu suspected --Ill child attends private school
By Julie Arrington
Staff Writer
POSTED Aug. 23, 2009 2 p.m.
Recent reports that a Forsyth County private school student had come down with the flu show just how seriously officials are taking the H1N1 virus.
Angela Martin, owner of Cornerstone Schools on Browns Bridge Road, confirmed Friday that a seventh-grader there was ill.
She said doctors suspect it may be the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, though that diagnosis has not been confirmed.
?We just told our parents to be watching out for symptoms,? Martin said. ?The doctor said, ?Anybody that gets the flu, we just tell them its swine flu.??
She said the doctor recommended that the child stay out of school for seven days.
As of July 15, there had been six confirmed cases and no deaths from swine flu in Forsyth County, said Dave Palmer, spokesman for the Georgia Division of Public Health District 2.
Palmer said the state has since stopped breaking down the numbers by county, instead recording only the cases that have resulted in hospital stays or deaths. Statewide there have been 101 hospitalizations and four deaths resulting from swine flu.
Palmer said those who are hospitalized for more common flu types are tested for the H1N1 virus.
?When people go in and they have the symptoms of flu, the physician will treat them for influenza and they may do the rapid test to determine if it?s [Type A or Type B],? Palmer said, adding that H1N1 is a Type A flu.
?We?re not doing that further testing on mild and moderate cases, only the ones severe enough to be hospitalized.?
Citing figures from the Center for Disease Control, Palmer said 90 percent of Type A flu tests come back positive for the H1N1 virus.
?So they think that a high portion of folks with influenza have the H1N1 virus,? he said.
The virus is being treated like all communicable diseases, including chicken pox or the traditional Type A flu.
In confirmed cases, parents are asked to keep their child home for 24 hours after a fever breaks. Letters are sent to parents of classmates to inform them of the illness.
Forsyth County school system officials met earlier this month with state Sen. Jack Murphy to discuss the district?s preparations for the virus.
As chairman of the Senate Public Safety Committee, Murphy has been briefed by the state Emergency Management Agency on H1N1 virus preparedness.
The Cumming Republican said he was pleased at how well prepared the school district was to handle an emergency.
http://www.forsythnews.com/news/article/3215/
Legadillo
Resident
Re: Georgia: Suspect Cases
Well, the residential psychiatric facility where I work has been hit hard by H1N1!!! I was sick last week, laid up in bed for 3 days. Soon thereafter, my co-workers started getting sick one-by-one (Diagnosed with Influenza A). The kids with whom we work are also getting really sick and entire units have been quarantined. The nurses are busy here. One kid has already been hospitalized soon after being discharged.
WIsh us luck! We're in for a roll.
Well, the residential psychiatric facility where I work has been hit hard by H1N1!!! I was sick last week, laid up in bed for 3 days. Soon thereafter, my co-workers started getting sick one-by-one (Diagnosed with Influenza A). The kids with whom we work are also getting really sick and entire units have been quarantined. The nurses are busy here. One kid has already been hospitalized soon after being discharged.
WIsh us luck! We're in for a roll.
Legadillo
Resident
Re: Georgia: Suspect Cases
UGA reports swine flu cases
By Shelia M. Poole
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
7:19 p.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2009
At least 20 University of Georgia students have been confirmed to have novel H1N1 since Aug. 14, a school spokeswoman said.
Liz Rachun said the students with the illness, widely known as swine flu, have been seen through the UGA Health Center.
?It?s definitely here at the University of Georgia,? she said. ?These numbers are likely to escalate over the next few days.?
Rachun said sick students are being asked to return home, if possible, or to isolate themselves so they don?t infect others on campus. So far, she said, she doesn?t know of any students who have been hospitalized.
But Louis Kudon, a district epidemiologist, cautioned that UGA may have more confirmed cases because it is part of the U.S. Influenza Sentinel Providers Surveillance Network, which helps track influenza activity.
?It?s nothing for people to really panic about,? he said.
As swine flu continues to spread across Georgia, pediatricians are seeing an increase in children with flulike symptoms. Health and school officials are anticipating a rough flu season with the seasonal flu and swine flu circulating at the same time.
A staff member at Shoal Creek Elementary School in Conyers has been diagnosed with novel H1N1 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said a spokeswoman for the Rockdale County school system.
Rockdale County Public Schools spokeswoman Cindy Ball said the employee was hospitalized and is not a classroom teacher. She said officials are communicating with state health officials and following current CDC guidelines and recommendations.
On Monday, Cobb & Douglas Public Health officials reported two confirmed cases of this strain of H1N1 among Cobb students. And Georgia Tech is reporting 100 suspected cases of swine flu.
Although the flu is widespread in Georgia, most cases have apparently been mild or moderate.
A vaccine is not expected to be available until sometime in October.
Find this article at:
http://www.ajc.com/news/uga-reports-swine-flu-123716.html
UGA reports swine flu cases
By Shelia M. Poole
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
7:19 p.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2009
At least 20 University of Georgia students have been confirmed to have novel H1N1 since Aug. 14, a school spokeswoman said.
Liz Rachun said the students with the illness, widely known as swine flu, have been seen through the UGA Health Center.
?It?s definitely here at the University of Georgia,? she said. ?These numbers are likely to escalate over the next few days.?
Rachun said sick students are being asked to return home, if possible, or to isolate themselves so they don?t infect others on campus. So far, she said, she doesn?t know of any students who have been hospitalized.
But Louis Kudon, a district epidemiologist, cautioned that UGA may have more confirmed cases because it is part of the U.S. Influenza Sentinel Providers Surveillance Network, which helps track influenza activity.
?It?s nothing for people to really panic about,? he said.
As swine flu continues to spread across Georgia, pediatricians are seeing an increase in children with flulike symptoms. Health and school officials are anticipating a rough flu season with the seasonal flu and swine flu circulating at the same time.
A staff member at Shoal Creek Elementary School in Conyers has been diagnosed with novel H1N1 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said a spokeswoman for the Rockdale County school system.
Rockdale County Public Schools spokeswoman Cindy Ball said the employee was hospitalized and is not a classroom teacher. She said officials are communicating with state health officials and following current CDC guidelines and recommendations.
On Monday, Cobb & Douglas Public Health officials reported two confirmed cases of this strain of H1N1 among Cobb students. And Georgia Tech is reporting 100 suspected cases of swine flu.
Although the flu is widespread in Georgia, most cases have apparently been mild or moderate.
A vaccine is not expected to be available until sometime in October.
Find this article at:
http://www.ajc.com/news/uga-reports-swine-flu-123716.html
Legadillo
Resident
Re: Georgia: Suspect Cases
100 Flu Cases Suspected At Georgia Tech
Posted: 2:59 pm EDT August 25, 2009
Updated: 5:35 pm EDT August 25, 2009
ATLANTA -- Georgia Tech officials said Tuesday they are dealing with about 100 cases of suspected flu on campus.
None of the cases have been confirmed as the H1N1 virus -- also known as swine flu -- but officials said they are treating the cases like they are swine flu as a precaution.
No swine flu tests have been given. Officials said because of the number of students who are sick, they are unable to test everyone. The state can only test for three cases per week so health officials on campus said they are taking an aggressive approach and treating each case like it is the swine flu.
"We're not testing patients. If they have the right symptoms we are treating them for suspected influenza, or H1N1, because that's the main influenza that's floating around," said the Georgia Tech Interim Medical Director Kathy Allan.
Georgia Tech Treating 100 Students Like They Have Swine Flu
Officials said 100 students have come to the student health center with flu symptoms since Friday.
Students suffering from flu-like symptoms were told to stay away from classes and limit interactions with other people. That advice complies with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control on dealing with swine flu.
"Ensuring the health and safety of our campus community remains our utmost concern," said Tech spokesperson Matt Nagel. "In this regard, Georgia Tech, along with experts on infectious disease, have worked diligently to coordinate plans for minimizing the risk of infection, caring for those who get sick and maintaining safe campus operations in anticipation of an increase in both seasonal flu and novel H1N1 virus cases this fall. We will continue to coordinate with local and state public health officials as we monitor and respond to these cases."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
READ: CDC Guidelines For Colleges & Universities MORE SWINE FLU NEWS: Swine Flu Case Confirmed @ Rockdale School
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
School Closings Not Recommended
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Tuesday that a massive school closing wouldn't stop the spread of the swine flu virus, saying vaccinations must be the defense against a menace that one report said could infect up to half of the population.
"What we know is that we have the virus right now traveling around the United States," Sebelius said in a nationally broadcast interview. "And having children in a learning situation is beneficial ... What we learned last spring is that shutting a school down sort of pre-emptively doesn't stop the virus from spreading."
Sebelius appeared on NBC's "Today" show one day after a special presidential advisory panel presented a grim report to the Obama White House, saying among other things that a "plausible scenario" for the United States later this year is wide-scale infections, possibly 30,000 to 90,000 deaths, mostly among young children and young adults, and perhaps as many as 300,000 sick enough to require intensive care unit treatment at hospitals.
Asked in the interview what people should do while awaiting the arrival of a vaccine, with first supplies likely by October but most not until the Thanksgiving season, Sebelius said: "I think it's important that people begin to anticipate that we will have a vaccine. We think it's likely that we're going to need two shots for the vaccine."
She said people should plan ahead for this, particularly those with pre-existing medical conditions, pregnant women and health care industry workers. Sebelius said federal health authorities also are recommending that people should immediately get their regular "seasonal" flu vaccine to bolster their health for the scenario yet to play out later this year regarding the swine flu virus.
"Seasonal flu vaccine is ready at the beginning of September," she said. "We want the population that is most at risk to begin their seasonal flu vaccine now."
Sebelius said on MSNBC that the government has asked drug makers to accelerate the manufacture of antiviral medication that could be administered intravenously to hospitalized swine flu victims.
A report by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, delivered Monday, said that while the impact of H1N1 was impossible to predict, a "plausible scenario" is that the epidemic could "produce infection of 30-50 percent of the U.S. population this fall and winter, with symptoms in approximately 20-40 percent of the population (60-120 million people), more than half of whom would seek medical attention."
Swine flu could lead to as many as lead to as many as 1.8 million U.S. hospital admissions during the epidemic, with up to 300,000 patients requiring care in intensive care units. In fact, those very ill patients could occupy 50-100 percent of all ICU beds in affected regions of the country at the peak of the epidemic and place "enormous stress" on ICU units.
Seasonal flue typically causes 30,000-40,000 annual deaths, mainly among people over 65.
People with certain pre-existing conditions, including pregnant women and patients with neurological disorders or respiratory impairment, diabetes, or severe obesity are at high risk, along with certain populations, such as Native Americans, the report said.
The fall resurgence in swine flu could occur as early as September, with the beginning of the school term, and the peak infection may occur in mid-October.
The report emphasized that this was a planning scenario, not a prediction. But, it added, "the scenario illustrates that an H1N1 resurgence could cause serious disruption of social and medical capacities in our country in the coming months."
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/20550679/detail.html
100 Flu Cases Suspected At Georgia Tech
Posted: 2:59 pm EDT August 25, 2009
Updated: 5:35 pm EDT August 25, 2009
ATLANTA -- Georgia Tech officials said Tuesday they are dealing with about 100 cases of suspected flu on campus.
None of the cases have been confirmed as the H1N1 virus -- also known as swine flu -- but officials said they are treating the cases like they are swine flu as a precaution.
No swine flu tests have been given. Officials said because of the number of students who are sick, they are unable to test everyone. The state can only test for three cases per week so health officials on campus said they are taking an aggressive approach and treating each case like it is the swine flu.
"We're not testing patients. If they have the right symptoms we are treating them for suspected influenza, or H1N1, because that's the main influenza that's floating around," said the Georgia Tech Interim Medical Director Kathy Allan.
Georgia Tech Treating 100 Students Like They Have Swine Flu
Officials said 100 students have come to the student health center with flu symptoms since Friday.
Students suffering from flu-like symptoms were told to stay away from classes and limit interactions with other people. That advice complies with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control on dealing with swine flu.
"Ensuring the health and safety of our campus community remains our utmost concern," said Tech spokesperson Matt Nagel. "In this regard, Georgia Tech, along with experts on infectious disease, have worked diligently to coordinate plans for minimizing the risk of infection, caring for those who get sick and maintaining safe campus operations in anticipation of an increase in both seasonal flu and novel H1N1 virus cases this fall. We will continue to coordinate with local and state public health officials as we monitor and respond to these cases."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
READ: CDC Guidelines For Colleges & Universities MORE SWINE FLU NEWS: Swine Flu Case Confirmed @ Rockdale School
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
School Closings Not Recommended
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Tuesday that a massive school closing wouldn't stop the spread of the swine flu virus, saying vaccinations must be the defense against a menace that one report said could infect up to half of the population.
"What we know is that we have the virus right now traveling around the United States," Sebelius said in a nationally broadcast interview. "And having children in a learning situation is beneficial ... What we learned last spring is that shutting a school down sort of pre-emptively doesn't stop the virus from spreading."
Sebelius appeared on NBC's "Today" show one day after a special presidential advisory panel presented a grim report to the Obama White House, saying among other things that a "plausible scenario" for the United States later this year is wide-scale infections, possibly 30,000 to 90,000 deaths, mostly among young children and young adults, and perhaps as many as 300,000 sick enough to require intensive care unit treatment at hospitals.
Asked in the interview what people should do while awaiting the arrival of a vaccine, with first supplies likely by October but most not until the Thanksgiving season, Sebelius said: "I think it's important that people begin to anticipate that we will have a vaccine. We think it's likely that we're going to need two shots for the vaccine."
She said people should plan ahead for this, particularly those with pre-existing medical conditions, pregnant women and health care industry workers. Sebelius said federal health authorities also are recommending that people should immediately get their regular "seasonal" flu vaccine to bolster their health for the scenario yet to play out later this year regarding the swine flu virus.
"Seasonal flu vaccine is ready at the beginning of September," she said. "We want the population that is most at risk to begin their seasonal flu vaccine now."
Sebelius said on MSNBC that the government has asked drug makers to accelerate the manufacture of antiviral medication that could be administered intravenously to hospitalized swine flu victims.
A report by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, delivered Monday, said that while the impact of H1N1 was impossible to predict, a "plausible scenario" is that the epidemic could "produce infection of 30-50 percent of the U.S. population this fall and winter, with symptoms in approximately 20-40 percent of the population (60-120 million people), more than half of whom would seek medical attention."
Swine flu could lead to as many as lead to as many as 1.8 million U.S. hospital admissions during the epidemic, with up to 300,000 patients requiring care in intensive care units. In fact, those very ill patients could occupy 50-100 percent of all ICU beds in affected regions of the country at the peak of the epidemic and place "enormous stress" on ICU units.
Seasonal flue typically causes 30,000-40,000 annual deaths, mainly among people over 65.
People with certain pre-existing conditions, including pregnant women and patients with neurological disorders or respiratory impairment, diabetes, or severe obesity are at high risk, along with certain populations, such as Native Americans, the report said.
The fall resurgence in swine flu could occur as early as September, with the beginning of the school term, and the peak infection may occur in mid-October.
The report emphasized that this was a planning scenario, not a prediction. But, it added, "the scenario illustrates that an H1N1 resurgence could cause serious disruption of social and medical capacities in our country in the coming months."
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/20550679/detail.html
Legadillo
Resident
Re: Georgia: Suspect Cases
Flu Symptoms Plague Camden Schools
Middle, High Schools Seeing High Absenteeism
POSTED: Tuesday, August 25, 2009
KINGSLAND, Ga. -- Dozens of Camden County middle and high school students came down with flu-like symptoms in the first two weeks of the school year.
Several students were sent home from school with notes from the school nurse since classes resumed on Aug. 5. They are being monitored and none have required hospitalization.
County health officials are awaiting test results to see if they were sick with the H1H1 strain -- the so-called Swine Flu. Right now there are no confirmed cases in the county.
Arthur Van Blarcum, director of student services, said as of Friday, the district saw a 2 percent increase in absences, or roughly 170 students.
There were two confirmed cases of swine flu in Camden County in July -- both children under the age of 10. There was also one confirmed case in neighboring Charlton County. That person was briefly hospitalized, then recovered at home.
School officials report a large number of absences from the illnesses, more than they recall an any other August. There are no plans to close schools, and the federal government said that massive school closings would not stop the spread of the virus.
Video: High Number Of Absentees
School officials sent home a letter to parents last week telling them how they could best protect their children from the flu.
Vellie Hannan has five children and knows how important it is to monitor their health.
"If one of them develops a little sniffle or whatever, don't just dismiss it as a change of the weather type thing," Hannan said.
Concern over swine flu is rising as a special presidential advisory panel said a "plausible scenario" could be anywhere from 30,000 to 90,00 deaths in the United States due to the H1N1 virus, and 20 to 40 percent of Americans could suffer swine flu symptoms.
Seasonal flu, in contrast, kills an estimated 36,000 people every year.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said a massive school closing would not stop the spread of the swine flu virus.
Sebelius also said the government expects to have 50 million doses of a H1N1 vaccine ready by mid-October and wants people to be ready.
"Hopefully we will have a mild presentation this fall with limited cases of serious illness and few deaths," Sebelius said during a visit Monday to the CDC.
http://www.news4jax.com/news4georgia/20551041/detail.html
Flu Symptoms Plague Camden Schools
Middle, High Schools Seeing High Absenteeism
POSTED: Tuesday, August 25, 2009
KINGSLAND, Ga. -- Dozens of Camden County middle and high school students came down with flu-like symptoms in the first two weeks of the school year.
Several students were sent home from school with notes from the school nurse since classes resumed on Aug. 5. They are being monitored and none have required hospitalization.
County health officials are awaiting test results to see if they were sick with the H1H1 strain -- the so-called Swine Flu. Right now there are no confirmed cases in the county.
Arthur Van Blarcum, director of student services, said as of Friday, the district saw a 2 percent increase in absences, or roughly 170 students.
There were two confirmed cases of swine flu in Camden County in July -- both children under the age of 10. There was also one confirmed case in neighboring Charlton County. That person was briefly hospitalized, then recovered at home.
School officials report a large number of absences from the illnesses, more than they recall an any other August. There are no plans to close schools, and the federal government said that massive school closings would not stop the spread of the virus.
Video: High Number Of Absentees
School officials sent home a letter to parents last week telling them how they could best protect their children from the flu.
Vellie Hannan has five children and knows how important it is to monitor their health.
"If one of them develops a little sniffle or whatever, don't just dismiss it as a change of the weather type thing," Hannan said.
Concern over swine flu is rising as a special presidential advisory panel said a "plausible scenario" could be anywhere from 30,000 to 90,00 deaths in the United States due to the H1N1 virus, and 20 to 40 percent of Americans could suffer swine flu symptoms.
Seasonal flu, in contrast, kills an estimated 36,000 people every year.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said a massive school closing would not stop the spread of the swine flu virus.
Sebelius also said the government expects to have 50 million doses of a H1N1 vaccine ready by mid-October and wants people to be ready.
"Hopefully we will have a mild presentation this fall with limited cases of serious illness and few deaths," Sebelius said during a visit Monday to the CDC.
http://www.news4jax.com/news4georgia/20551041/detail.html
Legadillo
Resident
Re: Georgia: Suspect Cases
So far, the cases of H1N1 are spreading rapidly in the residential psychiatric facility where I work and several of my patients have it.
Two units have been shut down and no one is allowed on or off the units. The kids are being given Tamiflu. So far, only one case was hospitalized. Some of the therapists and staff, as well as their families have also been diagnosed with Swine Flu.
They all have a wide range of symptoms and severity varies amongst cases. It is also exploding in our community and in the schools but there is no one media article about it!
Will keep you all informed!
So far, the cases of H1N1 are spreading rapidly in the residential psychiatric facility where I work and several of my patients have it.
Two units have been shut down and no one is allowed on or off the units. The kids are being given Tamiflu. So far, only one case was hospitalized. Some of the therapists and staff, as well as their families have also been diagnosed with Swine Flu.
They all have a wide range of symptoms and severity varies amongst cases. It is also exploding in our community and in the schools but there is no one media article about it!
Will keep you all informed!
Legadillo
Resident
Re: Georgia: Suspect Cases
H1N1 reported in Haralson County
by Adrienne Leon/The Tallapoosa
Local health officials have reported mild cases of the H1N1 flu, also known as swine flu, in Georgia and encourage citizens to exercise healthy hygiene as the virus becomes more “pervasive” this fall.
The ongoing spread of the H1N1 flu throughout Georgia is expected to usher in an unusual kind of flu season this year, Governor Sonny Perdue recently said in a press release addressing H1N1’s affect on the regular flu season. In a dual effort with the state, health officials have to prepare for the regular seasonal flu and grapple with increasing H1N1 flu cases within the upcoming months.
Therefore, the state emphasizes everyone should get flu immunizations this year, which could be a big jump considering that only 40 percent of state residents received a flu shot last year, according to Northwest Georgia Public Health spokesman Logan Boss. He says the prediction of rising H1N1 flu cases has prompted physicians to implement more preventive measures when administering the regular flu shot. Instead of giving patients one injection, physicians will administer three shots to help reduce the spread of infection.
“We’re encouraging everyone to get the flu shot this year. The less doctors have to deal with the flu, the more attention they will be able to give toward swine flu patients,” he said.
Meanwhile, Boss says Georgia, like every other state in the country, still awaits the arrival of the H1N1 flu vaccination, which he says should be available sometime this fall.
"]“It will be offered for free on a volunteer basis for high-risk groups, such as younger adults, pregnant women, children, and it will also be made available for the elderly,” he added.
To date, there have been 147 hospitalizations and four deaths in the state as a result of the H1N1 flu outbreak, Boss said. The virus hit even closer to home after one H1N1 flu case was confirmed involving one Haralson County Middle School student.
“Last Thursday, we were informed by the Northwest Georgia Public Health office that a student at Haralson County Middle School was diagnosed with a confirmed case of H1N1,” said Haralson County Schools Spokesperson Kersha Cartwright. “We were told to treat the diagnosis the same way we would treat seasonal flu. Students, parents and faculty were encouraged to use good hygiene practices, such as frequent hand-washing and covering your nose and mouth when sneezing. The student was not hospitalized and is recovering at home.”
Like many other school systems throughout the state, Cartwright says Haralson County schools could possibly see more cases in the future. Boss noted that is the only case that has been confirmed in Haralson County so far, but at this point, concerns about the H1N1 flu is beyond numbers since the virus has reached such a wide-spread level.
“It’s beyond keeping a size count now since the H1N1 virus has circulated in communities throughout Georgia,” he explained. “It will get more pervasive as we get into fall. Now we’re looking for changes in the severity of the virus.”
Therefore, he stressed the importance of good hygiene, noting that elderly citizens and children should especially have flu vaccinations, which can be arranged by a primary care physician. The state has also loosened student absenteeism policies so sick students can make a full recovery at home if they exhibit flu-like symptoms, such as a sore throat, fever or a runny nose.
http://www.times-georgian.com/pages...rted+in+Haralson+County&instance=west_ga_news
H1N1 reported in Haralson County
by Adrienne Leon/The Tallapoosa
Local health officials have reported mild cases of the H1N1 flu, also known as swine flu, in Georgia and encourage citizens to exercise healthy hygiene as the virus becomes more “pervasive” this fall.
The ongoing spread of the H1N1 flu throughout Georgia is expected to usher in an unusual kind of flu season this year, Governor Sonny Perdue recently said in a press release addressing H1N1’s affect on the regular flu season. In a dual effort with the state, health officials have to prepare for the regular seasonal flu and grapple with increasing H1N1 flu cases within the upcoming months.
Therefore, the state emphasizes everyone should get flu immunizations this year, which could be a big jump considering that only 40 percent of state residents received a flu shot last year, according to Northwest Georgia Public Health spokesman Logan Boss. He says the prediction of rising H1N1 flu cases has prompted physicians to implement more preventive measures when administering the regular flu shot. Instead of giving patients one injection, physicians will administer three shots to help reduce the spread of infection.
“We’re encouraging everyone to get the flu shot this year. The less doctors have to deal with the flu, the more attention they will be able to give toward swine flu patients,” he said.
Meanwhile, Boss says Georgia, like every other state in the country, still awaits the arrival of the H1N1 flu vaccination, which he says should be available sometime this fall.
"]“It will be offered for free on a volunteer basis for high-risk groups, such as younger adults, pregnant women, children, and it will also be made available for the elderly,” he added.
To date, there have been 147 hospitalizations and four deaths in the state as a result of the H1N1 flu outbreak, Boss said. The virus hit even closer to home after one H1N1 flu case was confirmed involving one Haralson County Middle School student.
“Last Thursday, we were informed by the Northwest Georgia Public Health office that a student at Haralson County Middle School was diagnosed with a confirmed case of H1N1,” said Haralson County Schools Spokesperson Kersha Cartwright. “We were told to treat the diagnosis the same way we would treat seasonal flu. Students, parents and faculty were encouraged to use good hygiene practices, such as frequent hand-washing and covering your nose and mouth when sneezing. The student was not hospitalized and is recovering at home.”
Like many other school systems throughout the state, Cartwright says Haralson County schools could possibly see more cases in the future. Boss noted that is the only case that has been confirmed in Haralson County so far, but at this point, concerns about the H1N1 flu is beyond numbers since the virus has reached such a wide-spread level.
“It’s beyond keeping a size count now since the H1N1 virus has circulated in communities throughout Georgia,” he explained. “It will get more pervasive as we get into fall. Now we’re looking for changes in the severity of the virus.”
Therefore, he stressed the importance of good hygiene, noting that elderly citizens and children should especially have flu vaccinations, which can be arranged by a primary care physician. The state has also loosened student absenteeism policies so sick students can make a full recovery at home if they exhibit flu-like symptoms, such as a sore throat, fever or a runny nose.
http://www.times-georgian.com/pages...rted+in+Haralson+County&instance=west_ga_news