Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
This may be the source of the Palm Beach FL cluster
Source: http://www.wspa.com/spa/news/local/...1_virus_confirmed_at_camp_daniel_boone/20134/
Two cases of H1N1 virus confirmed at Camp Daniel Boone
Haywood County Public information
Published: June 12, 2009
Two campers at Camp Daniel Boone in Haywood County have been confirmed to have the H1N1, or swine flu virus, and the Haywood County Health Department is working with camp medical staff to assess several others who are showing symptoms.
Staff at the Boy Scouts of America facility have contacted the parents of campers currently at the camp and informed them of the two positive cases of H1N1. More than 30 spent the night in a camp facility separate from the rest of the general population, reporting temperatures of at least 99 degrees. By morning, the group, which included three staff members, remained separated from the rest of the camp population, but only 4 continued to have a fever.
In addition, camp staff is in the process of notifying troop leaders with seven groups expected to travel to the camp on Saturday, and urging them to take steps to assess the health of their campers before making the trip.
In a prepared statement sent to the incoming troops, the camp stated that it was extremely important for troop leaders to help keep the virus from continually spreading.
?We are advising troop leaders to screen your campers and adults prior to your departure,? the statement read. ?We are asking that if you have a camper or leader who has any flu-like illness to stay home?If you have fellow campers or adults who have been exposed to an ill individual, they must stay at home as well.?
If an individual arrives at the camp with a fever, not only the individual, but the entire troop, will have to remained isolated from the rest of the camp for 7 days, the typical stay at the camp, or be allowed to return home. Troops that have questions about attending camp may call 828-648-0435.
The campers with confirmed cases of H1N1 presented symptoms to the camp nurse on June 9. The Haywood County Health Department administered tests, which came back positive on June 11. Results are pending on another test, and the Health Department tested four more on Friday. Both confirmed cases were from a scout troop in Florida.
Haywood County Health Director Carmine Rocco praised the efforts of the Camp Daniel Boone staff, as well as the leaders of visiting troops, to keep the virus from spreading.
?Since 9 p.m. last night, the camp nurse and troop leaders have been working to take the temperature of every camper, and those who have reported a fever have been isolated from the rest of the group,? Rocco said. ?They are continuing to take the appropriate steps to minimize the chances of spreading the virus. Their meals are being taken to them and they?re watching movies. They are taking this seriously and working to address the problem.?
Rocco reiterated the importance for the scout troops expected in on Saturday to assess the health of their campers and keep them home if they show flu-like symptoms.
?The virus could easily spread on a long bus ride, so campers who aren?t symptomatic at the beginning of the trip could be showing symptoms by the time they arrive,? Rocco said.
These are the first confirmed cases of H1N1 virus in Haywood County. Earlier this week, the World Health Organization declared H1N1 to be at pandemic levels worldwide. H1N1 is a new influenza virus causing illness in people very similar to the symptoms of regular flu, which includes fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has determined the new H1N1 flu virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people. Spread of this virus is thought to be the same as that of seasonal flu. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.
To help prevent the spread of flu virus to others in close contact with you, the Haywood County Health Department is asking you to follow these current guidelines:
The person who is sick should:
? Stay at home. Stay home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.
? Avoid close contact with others. Limit your contact with others. Avoid close contact such as kissing, sharing toothbrushes or drinks with people who are not sick. Try to stay in one room of the house, as far away from others as possible.
? Cover your mouth and nose. Always cover your mouth and nose when you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose.
? Wash your Hands. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough, sneeze, or throw away a used tissue in the trash. It is recommended to wash your hands for 15 to 20 seconds. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
? Wear a mask. When you are in close contact with other (within 6 feet) or if it is necessary to leave the house, wear a mask to stop the spread of flu to others.
? Call your health care provider if your symptoms get worse:
- Trouble breathing including shortness of breath for fast breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion or irritability
- Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough
- Refusing to drink fluids
Other persons in the home:
Watch for symptoms. Household and close contacts should watch for symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, or runny nose. Contacts who develop symptoms should remain home and follow the step listed above.
Choose One Person to Care for the Sick Person. Limit the number of people caring for the sick person. Wear a mask if you must have close contact. Persons with chronic health problems or pregnant women should not care for the sick person, if at all possible.
Wash Your Hands. Wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand gel right after contact with the sick person. Wash your hands after handling dirty laundry and other personal items.
Limit the number of visitors. Sick people should not have visitors while they are ill.
Wipe down Surfaces. Clean surfaces that are frequently touched or shared with a standard household disinfectant. This may include doorknobs, remote controls, bedside tables, and bathroom counters and fixtures.
Persons should only take medicines for influenza if their healthcare providers prescribe them. For people with certain health conditions, a medicine called either oseltamivir (Tamilflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) may be prescribed. All sick persons should rest, drink plenty of liquids, and take over the counter medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to treat their fever and other symptoms. All children under 18 Years of age should NOT take aspirin or products containing aspirin (e.g. Pepto-Bismol) as this can cause a rare serious illness, Reye Syndrome.
If you become severely ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children:
? Fast breathing or trouble breathing
? Bluish or gray skin color
? Not drinking enough fluids
? Not waking up or not interacting
? Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
? Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
? Fever with a rash
In adults:
? Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
? Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
? Sudden dizziness
? Confusion
? Severe or persistent vomiting
In addition to the Haywood County Health Department Flu Line, you can also call the NC Care Line ? (800) 662-7030. For online information about protecting yourself and your family from flu, see http://www.ncdhhs.gov or http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/gcdc/flu.html for more about influenza prevention efforts in North Carolina. For additional health information and more about swine flu in the U.S., see http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swine.
Source: http://www.wspa.com/spa/news/local/...1_virus_confirmed_at_camp_daniel_boone/20134/
Two cases of H1N1 virus confirmed at Camp Daniel Boone
Haywood County Public information
Published: June 12, 2009
Two campers at Camp Daniel Boone in Haywood County have been confirmed to have the H1N1, or swine flu virus, and the Haywood County Health Department is working with camp medical staff to assess several others who are showing symptoms.
Staff at the Boy Scouts of America facility have contacted the parents of campers currently at the camp and informed them of the two positive cases of H1N1. More than 30 spent the night in a camp facility separate from the rest of the general population, reporting temperatures of at least 99 degrees. By morning, the group, which included three staff members, remained separated from the rest of the camp population, but only 4 continued to have a fever.
In addition, camp staff is in the process of notifying troop leaders with seven groups expected to travel to the camp on Saturday, and urging them to take steps to assess the health of their campers before making the trip.
In a prepared statement sent to the incoming troops, the camp stated that it was extremely important for troop leaders to help keep the virus from continually spreading.
?We are advising troop leaders to screen your campers and adults prior to your departure,? the statement read. ?We are asking that if you have a camper or leader who has any flu-like illness to stay home?If you have fellow campers or adults who have been exposed to an ill individual, they must stay at home as well.?
If an individual arrives at the camp with a fever, not only the individual, but the entire troop, will have to remained isolated from the rest of the camp for 7 days, the typical stay at the camp, or be allowed to return home. Troops that have questions about attending camp may call 828-648-0435.
The campers with confirmed cases of H1N1 presented symptoms to the camp nurse on June 9. The Haywood County Health Department administered tests, which came back positive on June 11. Results are pending on another test, and the Health Department tested four more on Friday. Both confirmed cases were from a scout troop in Florida.
Haywood County Health Director Carmine Rocco praised the efforts of the Camp Daniel Boone staff, as well as the leaders of visiting troops, to keep the virus from spreading.
?Since 9 p.m. last night, the camp nurse and troop leaders have been working to take the temperature of every camper, and those who have reported a fever have been isolated from the rest of the group,? Rocco said. ?They are continuing to take the appropriate steps to minimize the chances of spreading the virus. Their meals are being taken to them and they?re watching movies. They are taking this seriously and working to address the problem.?
Rocco reiterated the importance for the scout troops expected in on Saturday to assess the health of their campers and keep them home if they show flu-like symptoms.
?The virus could easily spread on a long bus ride, so campers who aren?t symptomatic at the beginning of the trip could be showing symptoms by the time they arrive,? Rocco said.
These are the first confirmed cases of H1N1 virus in Haywood County. Earlier this week, the World Health Organization declared H1N1 to be at pandemic levels worldwide. H1N1 is a new influenza virus causing illness in people very similar to the symptoms of regular flu, which includes fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has determined the new H1N1 flu virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people. Spread of this virus is thought to be the same as that of seasonal flu. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.
To help prevent the spread of flu virus to others in close contact with you, the Haywood County Health Department is asking you to follow these current guidelines:
The person who is sick should:
? Stay at home. Stay home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.
? Avoid close contact with others. Limit your contact with others. Avoid close contact such as kissing, sharing toothbrushes or drinks with people who are not sick. Try to stay in one room of the house, as far away from others as possible.
? Cover your mouth and nose. Always cover your mouth and nose when you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose.
? Wash your Hands. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough, sneeze, or throw away a used tissue in the trash. It is recommended to wash your hands for 15 to 20 seconds. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
? Wear a mask. When you are in close contact with other (within 6 feet) or if it is necessary to leave the house, wear a mask to stop the spread of flu to others.
? Call your health care provider if your symptoms get worse:
- Trouble breathing including shortness of breath for fast breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion or irritability
- Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough
- Refusing to drink fluids
Other persons in the home:
Watch for symptoms. Household and close contacts should watch for symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, or runny nose. Contacts who develop symptoms should remain home and follow the step listed above.
Choose One Person to Care for the Sick Person. Limit the number of people caring for the sick person. Wear a mask if you must have close contact. Persons with chronic health problems or pregnant women should not care for the sick person, if at all possible.
Wash Your Hands. Wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand gel right after contact with the sick person. Wash your hands after handling dirty laundry and other personal items.
Limit the number of visitors. Sick people should not have visitors while they are ill.
Wipe down Surfaces. Clean surfaces that are frequently touched or shared with a standard household disinfectant. This may include doorknobs, remote controls, bedside tables, and bathroom counters and fixtures.
Persons should only take medicines for influenza if their healthcare providers prescribe them. For people with certain health conditions, a medicine called either oseltamivir (Tamilflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) may be prescribed. All sick persons should rest, drink plenty of liquids, and take over the counter medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to treat their fever and other symptoms. All children under 18 Years of age should NOT take aspirin or products containing aspirin (e.g. Pepto-Bismol) as this can cause a rare serious illness, Reye Syndrome.
If you become severely ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children:
? Fast breathing or trouble breathing
? Bluish or gray skin color
? Not drinking enough fluids
? Not waking up or not interacting
? Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
? Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
? Fever with a rash
In adults:
? Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
? Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
? Sudden dizziness
? Confusion
? Severe or persistent vomiting
In addition to the Haywood County Health Department Flu Line, you can also call the NC Care Line ? (800) 662-7030. For online information about protecting yourself and your family from flu, see http://www.ncdhhs.gov or http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/gcdc/flu.html for more about influenza prevention efforts in North Carolina. For additional health information and more about swine flu in the U.S., see http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swine.