H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) Update; May 7 @ 11:00 a.m.

UPDATE ON CASES:  DPH is now confirming cases at 11:00 in the morning. This morning DPH confirmed 26 additional cases in Massachusetts, which brings the total case count to 71.  Each of the new cases is expected to fully recover and 1 of the newly confirmed cases was hospitalized but has been discharged. 

This increase in cases in Massachusetts, similar to what is being seen in other states, was expected given the intensity of surveillance for new cases, and the broad testing program for specimens early in the outbreak.  DPH’s testing strategy, consistent with CDC guidelines, will change over time to focus on more seriously ill patients.

The new cases also indicate that the virus, as with any influenza virus, spreads from person to person. 

 Taking simple steps will keep you and others healthy. 

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Cover your cough with a tissue or cough into your inner elbow and not into your hands.

• If you are sick stay home from work and if your child is sick keep them home from school.

 For more information on H1N1 flu (swine flu) please visit www.mass.gov/dph.  To view a detailed listing of cases, continue reading below.

Confirmed H1N1 Influenza (swine flu)

Update for May 7, 2009, 11:00 AM

Total confirmed cases to date:  71

Date Confirmed	Age*	County*	Hospitalized (Y/N/U)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009	13	Middlesex	N
Wednesday, April 29, 2009	9	Middlesex	N
Friday, May 1, 2009	14	Middlesex	Y (discharged)
Friday, May 1, 2009	47	Middlesex	N
Friday, May 1, 2009	9	Middlesex	Y (discharged)
Friday, May 1, 2009	33	Plymouth	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	28	Bristol	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	19	Hampshire	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	20	Hampshire	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	16	Middlesex	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	47	Middlesex	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	2	Middlesex	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	37	Middlesex	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	3	Middlesex	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	14	Middlesex	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	4	Middlesex	Y (discharged)
Monday, May 4, 2009	37	Middlesex	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	17	Middlesex	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	47	Middlesex	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	32	Middlesex	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	7	Middlesex	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	31	Middlesex	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	12	Middlesex	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	10	Middlesex	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	17	Middlesex	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	16	Middlesex	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	8	Middlesex	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	17	Norfolk	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	57	Norfolk	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	7	Norfolk	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	20	Plymouth	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	24	Suffolk	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	25	Suffolk	N
Monday, May 4, 2009	26	Suffolk	N
Tuesday, May 05, 2009	10	Bristol	N
Tuesday, May 05, 2009	?	Franklin	N
Tuesday, May 05, 2009	19	Hampshire	N
Tuesday, May 05, 2009	12	Middlesex	N
Tuesday, May 05, 2009	16	Middlesex	N
Tuesday, May 05, 2009	16	Middlesex	N
Tuesday, May 05, 2009	49	Middlesex	N
Tuesday, May 05, 2009	13	Middlesex	N
Tuesday, May 05, 2009	12	Middlesex	N
Tuesday, May 05, 2009	18	Middlesex	N
Tuesday, May 05, 2009	7	Worcester	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	13	Essex	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	13	Essex	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	11	Hampden	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	14	Middlesex	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	16	Middlesex	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	12	Middlesex	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	13	Middlesex	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	13	Middlesex	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	8	Middlesex	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	12	Middlesex	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	14	Middlesex	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	<1	Middlesex	Y (discharged)
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	26	Middlesex	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	15	Middlesex	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	12	Middlesex	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	12	Middlesex	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	12	Middlesex	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	17	Norfolk	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	16	Norfolk	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	6	Norfolk	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	11	Norfolk	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	10	Norfolk	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	5	Suffolk	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	13	Suffolk	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	25	Suffolk	N
Wednesday, May 6, 2009	14	Worcester	N

To download a copy of the case list, click here.

Comments

[Peter]

Thank you very much for your daily update and profoundness in dealing with the questions of concerned citizens.

[Dan Lewis]

How many confirmed cases in one school would MDPH consider closing the school? D. Lewis

--------------------
Dr. Lauren Smith responds: Each case would have to be evaluated individually. It would not be prudent to have a specific number because each case will have unique circimstances.

But it is safe to that that there are no schools with situations that would warrant closure at this time.

[Sandra (Maynard, MA)]

I would like to know why people are not being given the information regarding which specific towns have confirmed cases? I am a concerned parent of 2 young children and would really appreciate knowing this information. It would also prevent the spread of H1N1 as people would be even more careful upon entering the specific town. Ie. I was at the local post office today w/ my kids and if I knew that my town had confirmed case(s), I might have gone another time alone. I think parents and the general population should be made aware of this - we have a right to know and to protect our kids by having this additional information.

--------------------
Suzanne Crowther responds: I think you have have unintentionally posted the same question twice, but I want to answer both just to make sure.

Whether or not there is a confirmed case in your community or in your school, chances are that the H1N1 flu is circulating there. You should also assume that you and your child could be exposed to this new flu at school, at work or anywhere else in your community. Therefore, it is very important to take common sense precautions to protect yourself. Those precautions include washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water, or using an alcohol based hand-sanitizer, and staying away from people who are coughing or sneezing.

You can also help ensure that you don’t spread an illness to others by covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue, or cough into your sleeve if you don’t have one.

Take this opportunity to reinforce both of these messages with your kids. Teach them how to keep themselves from getting sick, and how not to spread disease to others when they do get sick- whether it’s a cold, the flu or some other illness.

[Sandra Scully]

It would be really nice to know which specific town these cases were confirmed in. As a concerned parent of 2 children (ages 2 & 5), it might make a difference to me where I go shopping or bring my kids, etc.... why isn't this information available? It really should be - and would also perhaps lessen the chances of spreading the H1N1 virus - as more people would be even more aware and careful upon entering a specific town. (Ie. I was at the post office with my kids today and wondered if anyone in Maynard was confirmed positive for H1N1. If so, I may have thought twice about entering the post office with my children; rather I would have gone another time, alone.... just an example.)
Please post this information! Parents should have a right to know.
Sandra Scully (Maynard, MA)

--------------------
Suzanne Crowther responds: Whether or not there is a confirmed case in your community or in your school, chances are that the H1N1 flu is circulating there. You should also assume that you and your child could be exposed to this new flu at school, at work or anywhere else in your community. Therefore, it is very important to take common sense precautions to protect yourself. Those precautions include washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water, or using an alcohol based hand-sanitizer, and staying away from people who are coughing or sneezing.

You can also help ensure that you don’t spread an illness to others by covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue, or cough into your sleeve if you don’t have one.

Take this opportunity to reinforce both of these messages with your kids. Teach them how to keep themselves from getting sick, and how not to spread disease to others when they do get sick- whether it’s a cold, the flu or some other illness.

[Marge Lippman]

I feel that closing schools when a case is confirmed would be wise. The reasoning that this flu seems no worse than regular flu is not comforting. We can choose to be vaccinated against the
regular flu. For this one we are sitting ducks.
Once kids start getting it and spreading it to their families, I fear it will just be out of control.
I was a teacher and know how quickly schools share illness.
Any means to stop the flow would make sense to me.

--------------------
Suzanne Crowther responds: Thanks for your comment. We do appreciate your concerns, but don't agree closing schools is warranted at this point. For a detailed explanation of the reasons we don't feel it makes sense to clsoe schools, please see yesterday's post by Dr. Lauren Smith.

[J.Adamo]

Quoting you-
"DPH’s testing strategy, consistent with CDC guidelines, will change over time to focus on more seriously ill patients."

I would like more detailed information on this, please. Is this to say (over time) you won't be testing suspect cases until people are 'more seriously ill'? What effect will this have on the ability to prescribe meds within the 3day window that (I believe) Tamiflu requires?

Also, not a question but
Wow, school age children are being hit the hardest by far.

--------------------
Dr. Al DeMaria responds: We are saying that we do not want to test people with mild illness in order to keep them out of healthcare facilities and reduce unnecessary testing. If you want to treat, it should be becuase the patient is at higher risk of serious complications from influenza. Those patients have a recommendation for testing and treatment.

Studies leading to licensure of oseltamivir demonstrated that you could reduce the illness by one day, if you started treatment within 48 hours of onset. This is effectively impossible by the time the patient presents and you get the testing result, so you could either consider treating them anyway and not testing, or discontinue treatment if they didn’t have infection with an influenza virus. Tamiflu is $8 per pill.