Genesee County Health Department
Better Life Through Better Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

DATE:             November 19, 2009                END DATE:     November 25, 2009 

 

CONTACT:       Fatema Mamou, MPH
                       Epidemiologist

 

PHONE:          (810) 768-7971 or (810) 691-5118

RE:                  First Death Associated with 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Genesee County

A Genesee County women in her 50s died last week from illness associated with 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection. Michigan has had at least 37 deaths associated with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus since September 1, 2009.

Influenza surveillance of schools, childcare centers, hospitals, and private providers indicates that flu activity remains widespread in Genesee County and is being spread easily from person-to-person. It is unusual to have flu activity at these high levels during this time of year. Levels of flu like illness are similar to what is normally seen during the peak of influenza season. Confirmed influenza cases as well as influenza-related hospitalizations are higher than what has historically been seen during the average flu season. Similar to Michigan and the United States, the majority of this activity is due to the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. While this virus is not more severe than seasonal influenza viruses, some groups appear to be at increased risk of influenza-related complications. These groups include:

  • Pregnant women

  • Children younger than 5 years old, especially those under 2

  • People who have underlying medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung disease, or weakened immune systems

Because flu activity is so unusually high, it is important for people to understand how to treat the flu, how to prevent the flu from continuing to spread so rapidly through our community, and how to stay healthy. Symptoms of the flu typically include fever, cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea. If you do have the flu, don’t spread it to others. Do not go to work or school when you are sick. Stay home until your fever has been gone for at least one full day without taking fever-reducing medicine. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your shirt sleeve at the elbow, not your bare hands. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently.  Do not receive visitors when you are sick. Wear a facemask when sharing common rooms with other household members, especially if they are at high risk for complications from the flu. Get the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine as soon as it is available to you as well as the seasonal flu vaccine.

Most people with 2009 H1N1influenza have had mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs and the same is true of seasonal flu. However, some people are more likely to get flu complications and they should talk to a health care pro­vider about whether they need to be examined if they get flu symptoms this season. It is possible for healthy people to develop severe illness from the flu so people concerned about their illness should consult their health care provider. It is important to know the emergency warning signs. Anyone who has them should seek medical care right away. These include:

In children:

  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Bluish skin color
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Not waking up or not interacting
  • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
  • Fever with a rash

In adults:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting

Antiviral drugs can be used to treat influenza and may help shorten the time a person is sick and prevent complications. This flu season, antiviral drugs are being used mainly to treat people who are very sick, such as people who need to be hospitalized, and to treat sick people who are more likely to get serious complications. A health care provider can decide whether antiviral drugs are needed to treat influenza.

People interested in more information about the 2009 H1N1 flu, how to treat it, how to prevent spreading it, and how to avoid getting it should visit the Genesee County Health Department website at www.gchd.us or call the Flu Hotline at (810) 257-3887.

 

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