1st H1N1 case confirmed in Logan County

[October 27, 2009]  The Logan County Department of Public Health has received notification of the first confirmed H1N1 case in Logan County. A 14-year-old male tested positive late last week for H1N1 by the Illinois Department of Public Health laboratory in Springfield.

The individual did receive medical treatment and has since recovered and returned to school. The Logan County Department of Public Health's communicable disease staff is monitoring the situation and is in contact with the family.

Currently IDPH is testing only individuals hospitalized, deceased or at the request of local health departments. The Logan County Department of Public Health requested this individual be tested after observing an increase in absences in local schools with symptoms consistent with influenza-like illness.

The Logan County Department of Public Health is working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor and keep area residents and health care professionals informed about this outbreak.

The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of the regular seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu.

Public health officials recommend people who have flu-like symptoms stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever without the use of fever-reducing medication.

The health department is following the CDC recommendations by offering the H1N1 flu vaccine to the following priority groups as established by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices:

• Pregnant women.

• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age.

• Health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact.

• Children 6 months through 24 years of age.

H1N1 vaccination clinics are being held at the health department on Monday, Wednesday and Friday 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

The Logan County Department of Public Health reminds the community that it is important for everyone to be vigilant and take a shared responsibility to minimize the risk of spreading this respiratory disease and to protect themselves. To prevent the spread of flu, take the following precautions:

• CLEAN -- Wash your hands often with soap and water -- especially after you cough and sneeze. You can also use alcohol-based hand cleaners.

• COVER -- Your cough and sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your arm.

• CONTAIN -- Contain your germs. Stay home from work or school and limit your contact with other people to avoid infecting them. Parents should follow these same recommendations for their children.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. That's how germs are spread.

• Get the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines when they become available for you.

For more information on H1N1 flu, call the state's toll-free line at 866-848-2094 or visit www.flu.gov. The health department Web site, www.lcdph.org, and information line, 217-735-2317, ext. 320, will be kept up to date with vaccine availability information.

[Text from file received from the Logan County Department of Public Health]