Re: no news in VT?
The Bennington Banner ran an article today...
No recent increases in swine flu in area
MARK E. RONDEAU
Posted: 07/19/2009 10:37:32 PM EDT
BENNINGTON -- The novel H1N1 virus, more commonly known as the "swine flu," is still major news three months after the Centers for Disease Control confirmed the first case in the U.S., but health institutions in town are not reporting any noticeable increase in people reporting flu symptoms.
This may well change, however, as the off-season flu continues to sicken people as the year progresses, and one or two additional influenza virus strains appear when regular flu season starts in November or December.
The number of flu specimens submitted to the Vermont Department of Health for testing from health care providers around the state has declined somewhat in July compared to May and June, said Patsy Kelso, state epidemiologist.
The number of confirmed cases of the novel H1N1 virus in Vermont is small, with no discernible pattern of outbreak, she said in an interview Friday.
For instance, while Chittenden County has the most confirmed cases at 23, up from 19 as of July 10, it is also the most populous county in the state, Kelso said.
A couple of summer camps in Vermont have had cases of influenza-like illnesses, and one closed temporarily and later reopened, Kelso said.
The Centers for Disease Control shows Vermont as having "sporadic" flu activity on its "FluView" influenza report map, which is updated weekly online. According to its most recent figures, updated Thursday, the VDH reports that Bennington County has had to date 6 lab-confirmed cases of N1H1 novel influenza; Windham County 0; and Rutland County 9. This was the same number as in the previous week?s report. Statewide, the total number of cases increased to 59 from 50 on July 10. The total number of hospitalizations increased from 2 to 3 in that period. To date the state has had no deaths from the virus.
Contacted last week, spokespeople from Southwestern Vermont Medical Center and the Bennington Free Clinic said that their staff members had not seen any recent increase of people with flu symptoms.
The VDH notes that even counties with no confirmed cases of H1N1 mostly likely have the flu circulating, but the state is now concentrating on testing severe cases and "will not identify all cases of H1N1 novel influenza, particularly those with mild illness."
Novel H1N1, first confirmed in the U.S. on April 15, spreads from person to person. "The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue," according to the CDC. "A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting."
According to the Associated Press, the CDC reported Friday that its count of lab-confirmed U.S. Swine Flu cases had topped 40,000 and deaths had risen to 263. Hospitalizations nationwide total about 4,800. These numbers are up from last week?s total of 37,000 confirmed and probable cases and 211 deaths.
CDC officials estimate that more than 1 million Americans have been infected with the virus so far, though most who have gotten ill have recovered without needing medical treatment.
The majority of cases of novel H1N1 flu have been in people between the ages of 5 and 24. So far, there have been few cases and no deaths reported in people older than 64 years old, unusual when compared to seasonal flu, according to the CDC.
While CDC surveillance indicates that overall influenza activity is decreasing for the time being, "outbreaks are ongoing in parts of the U.S., in some cases with intense activity." For instance, the Associated Press reported last week that the number of cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado with lab-confirmed cases of N1H1 had increased to 67.
One of the things that makes novel H1N1 unusual is that it is an off-season influenza. Kelso said the regular flu season can vary but typically begins in the Northern Hemisphere during November and December and peaks in February. One or two strains of flu virus are typically active.
According to the CDC Web site, on average each year some 36,000 people die from flu-related complications and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related causes in the U.S.
The CDC expects H1N1 to continue to sicken people into the fall and winter and "in conjunction with regular seasonal influenza viruses, poses the potential to cause significant illness with associated hospitalizations and deaths during the U.S. influenza season."
Given this threat, the search for an effective swine flu vaccine has been ongoing. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced July 13 that her department will commit $884 million to purchase additional supplies of two key ingredients for a potential H1N1 vaccine to further prepare the nation for a potential resurgence of the virus.
Elsewhere in our region, the CDC influenza report map declares flu outbreaks to be "regional" in Massachusetts and "widespread" in New York.
The Massachusetts Department of Health Web site reported Friday that there have been 1,335 cases of the H1N1 flu in the Bay State, most in people age 24 and under. Some 164 people have been hospitalized since the outbreak began, up 12 from the previous week. There have been 6 deaths related to the H1N1 in Massachusetts, two announced in the past week.
Paul Hopkins, director of community relations for Northern Berkshire Health, parent of North Adams Regional Hospital, said Friday that two confirmed cases of N1H1 had been diagnosed at the hospital, and the hospital is still seeing people with flu-like symptoms regularly.
"Most are without significant symptoms, and the state lab is only confirming cases in instances where the diagnosis would have some real impact on how the medical case was managed," Hopkins said.
"Community doctors also report they are treating patients with flu-like symptoms, especially children," he said. "While there have been no other confirmed cases of H1N1 lately, that doesn?t mean there is no flu in the community."
The New York Department of Health reports on its Web site 2,253 confirmed cases of novel H1N1 as of July 3, 1,262 of these in New York City. In a county-by-county breakdown, New York counties in our region report the following number of confirmed cases: Rensselaer, 10; Washington, 1; Albany, 12; Schnectady, 8; Saratoga, 7; and Columbia, 8. Kelso said the VDH is urging people who get the flu to stay home, whether from work, school or summer camp. Good hand hygiene and covering one?s mouth when coughing are also important.
"Although H1N1 has been relatively benign so far, it can still be serious for some people, especially those with underlying or chronic health conditions," Hopkins said. "If you suspect you have the flu, the recommendation is to stay out of work for a full seven days if you have flu-like symptoms. Those with medical complications or who are pregnant should contact a healthcare provider."
