H1N1 Update from DPH

DPH today confirmed 4 additional H1N1 influenza (swine flu) cases in Massachusetts. This brings the confirmed case count to 171. None of the newly confirmed cases were hospitalized.
The total number of hospitalizations remains 13. However, the total number of hospitalizations is likely to fluctuate over the next few days as records are updated to reflect the new CDC definition of “hospitalizations.” The new definition includes only those cases that were hospitalized for longer than 24 hours.

As the number of cases in Massachusetts continues to increase, the focus on individual case counts becomes less important than examining overall trends. Therefore yesterday, DPH shifted away from listing individual cases of confirmed H1N1, and began listing aggregate cases by county. DPH will also provide data on age distribution of cases and an aggregate count of hospitalizations in the state.

Please note that DPH continues to work closely with health care providers and local public health departments on community level prevention activities.

Flu outbreaks evolve in unpredictable ways; it is impossible to know whether this outbreak will decrease, remain the same, or grow in coming weeks, and whether the illness will remain at its current severity which, on the whole has been relatively mild. Some severe cases may occur in people with underlying risk factors such as young children, the elderly, and people with chronic medical conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and DPH are watching closely for signs of increased severity of the H1N1 influenza (swine flu), and will continue to monitor and report on any developing trends.

Because there is no vaccine for H1N1 influenza, public health officials remind all Massachusetts residents to continue taking simple steps to keep themselves 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 7 days, or 24 hours after your symptoms go away—whichever is longer.
  
• Stay informed about the latest developments on the H1N1 flu.
  

For more information on H1N1 flu (swine flu) please visit www.mass.gov/dph.
Download information on cases for 5-19-09.

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This post originally published on the MA DPH blog, Commonwealth Conversations.