Categories
Community

H1N1 updates

Updates:
• Statement from Orange County Health Department.

The adult case is a health care worker, with mild illness and is self-isolated at home. To protect the privacy of the case and contacts we are limited in the release of protected health information.

• Dr. Brian Goldstein, chief of staff at UNC Hospital, said there are 17 patients from the pediatric clinic who could have been exposed. He did not have exact ages, but said some were younger than 5 years old, which is one of the age groups the CDC advises receive anti-viral medication.
Full post.

Categories
Miscellany

H1N1 update from Orange County

Orange County Health Department updated the H1N1 case this evening. Here’s a recap via the Orange County web site:

• On Friday evening, the Orange County Health Department received notice of an Orange County resident with laboratory confirmed novel influenza A (H1N1). This marks the 13th confirmed case in North Carolina.
• The adult case is a health care worker, with mild illness and is self-isolated at home. To protect the privacy of the case and contacts we are limited in the release of protected health information.
• Orange Co. Health Dept. in collaboration with UNC Health Care and N.C. Division of Public Health has worked quickly to investigate and talk with all close contacts to this case.
• “UNC Health Care has a renowned infectious disease program. I am confident that UNC Health Care advises their health care staff regarding appropriate measures to reduce the risk of disease spread,” stated Dr. Rosemary Summers, Orange County Health Director.
• Travel history is no longer relevant as an exposure risk because of there is more than 6500 cases nationwide.
• “It is always a good practice to stay home when you are feeling sick,” said Dr. Summers
• Take action to protect your health. The health department recommends practicing consistent respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes with tissue) and proper hand washing. Clean commonly touched surfaces often. Avoid contact with people who have flu-like symptoms. Individuals with flu-like symptoms should contact their medical provider and avoid contact with others. Stay home from work, school, church or social gatherings for 7 days after start of illness or until at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved whichever is longer.
For more information visit http://www.co.orange.nc.us/health/index.asp for the latest Orange County information and http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ for Centers for Disease Control updates. Residents with general questions about H1N1 can call the 24-hour NC Care Line at 1-800-662-7030 (English and Spanish) or 1-877-452-2514 (TTY).

Categories
Community

UNC reports H1N1 case

Update: UNC H1N1 resource page.

This from UNC Health Care:

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Today UNC Health Care learned that a staff member with what was later confirmed as a case of H1N1 influenza came in contact with patients and staff at our University Pediatrics at Highgate clinic in Durham this week.

We have contacted everyone who was potentially exposed to let them know about this and to offer our assistance. We are also advising exposed persons in accordance with the current recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are making ourselves available to them as needed.

We will provide updates as additional information becomes available.