As of June 8, the number of confirmed cases of Novel Influenza A H1N1in Virginia stands at 57–more than double last week’s total. The number includes a third case in Loudoun, and the first death in Virginia attributed to “swine flu,” involving a woman living in Chesapeake.
In response, the Virginia Department of Health is modifying its approach to testing and reporting the disease. Noting that the new numbers “Confirm the presence of the virus in the Commonwealth’s local communities,” the VDH states that large-scale testing of all patients with flu-like illness is no longer necessary.
As of now, the VDH advises that, “Treatment of patients with the H1N1 virus, and preventive measures to contain its spread, are similar to those procedures that long have been in place to respond to seasonal flu.”
The testing process will now concentrate VDH resources on people who are at greater risk for complications from the new virus. These include “People hospitalized with flu-like illnesses, pregnant women, the elderly, the very young and people with underlying chronic health conditions.”
In addition, VDH will update the number of confirmed cases at 5 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, rather than once a week on Fridays.
Contacted on Monday, Dr. David Goodfriend, director of the Loudoun County Health Department, acknowledged that a third case of “swine flu” had been confirmed in Loudoun. Due to privacy restrictions, he would not give any details concerning Loudoun’s latest case of “swine flu.”
Goodfriend concurred with the current VDH findings, adding that at this point, it was likely that there were other cases in the county that had not been reported. He agreed that this called for a shift in strategy–from testing to establish the presence of the disease to emphasizing its prevention.
Prevention is Stressed
“Virginians are reminded that symptoms of this novel virus typically include fever, cough and sore throat,” according to the VDH. “Additional symptoms may include headache, chills, fatigue and body aches. Persons with H1N1 influenza are contagious for up to seven days after the onset of illness and possibly longer if they are still symptomatic.
As a reminder, VDH posted these recommendations for anyone with flu-like symptoms:
· Stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
· Call your health care providers or health department before seeking care, so that the necessary infection control measures can be put in place.
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue in the trash after use.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
- Limiting close contact with sick people.
- Prevent the spread of germs by not touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
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