Number of H1N1 cases difficult to track

Local health officials said Thursday that about 15 new cases of the H1N1 Influenza A virus have been confirmed in Bourbon County.

However, Bourbon County Public Health Nurse Alice Maffett said Thursday that tracking the number of cases may actually prove difficult.

"As of Wednesday, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has stopped individually testing for H1N1 unless that person is hospitalized," Maffett said. "Basically, what that means is that there may be more cases out there. We really don't know how many (cases) there are. Physicians will continue to test for Type A Influenza and Type B Influenza, but they won't be submitting numbers to the state of which were positive for Type A Influenza, which is essentially H1N1.".

More important than the number of cases in Bourbon County is how well those with confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus are recovering, Maffett said.

"To my knowledge, we have only had one case that required hospitalization due to complications from the virus," she said, "and the others are recovering well. We have had no deaths due to the H1N1 virus here."

As of Thursday, the KDHE website still showed only two confirmed cases of H1N1 in Bourbon County.

According to Bourbon County Emergency Manager Keith Jeffers, officials are still encouraging people to follow the same precautions they would with the seasonal flu.

"We're still encouraging the same things we have been: Handwashing, coughing into your sleeve or arm, drinking fluids, and staying home when you're sick," Jeffers said. "Especially handwashing. Handwashing is the most important thing to do to prevent the spread of germs."

Maffett emphasized those points as well and added, "It's similar to what we suggest during the normal flu season: Keep hydrated; disinfect any areas that are repeatedly subjected to germs; wipe down doorknobs, keyboards, work areas that you share with other people."

Maffett also said there has been a change in the isolation period for suspected cases of the H1N1 virus.

"Originally it was suggested that everyone isolate themselves for a seven-day period, but really, you should stay home and isolate yourself until you are fever free for a 24-hour period," she said. "That means fever free without the use of fever reducers such as acetaminophen and similar medicines."

The following are suggestions from the KDHE website, www.kdheks.gov.

The symptoms of H1N1 flu virus in humans are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever greater than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting.

Individuals with the above symptoms should contact their physician, who will determine whether testing or treatment is needed.

As with any influenza virus, individuals are encouraged to take the following steps to reduce spread of the virus:

* Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs and avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth.

* Stay home when sick to avoid spreading illness to co-workers and friends.

* Cough or sneeze into the elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.

* Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise.

With the beginning of school quickly approaching for the area, parents are encouraged to take precautions with their children.

"If your child feels ill, take their temperature. If they have a fever, a temperature greater than 100 degrees, definitely keep them home," Maffett said. "Especially if they are experiencing other symptoms, they shouldn't be going to school."

KDHE has given a projected date of late October for a vaccine for H1N1 Influenza A virus to be available in Bourbon County. According to Maffett, the vaccine hasn't been released and is still being tested.

Jeffers said, "We want to encourage people to get the vaccine when it's available, but they should also know getting the vaccine is voluntary. There is simply no regulation that someone has to get the vaccine, but it's encouraged."

Both Maffett and Jeffers emphasized the importance of the seasonal flu vaccine as well.

"We are hoping to have seasonal flu vaccines available by the beginning of September and we can start giving those out as soon as we get them," Maffett said. "It's (seasonal flu vaccine) is good for a whole year. People don't have to worry about getting it too early and then it not lasting throughout the whole flu season."

Maffett also wished to remind everyone that the seasonal flu vaccine is available beginning at six months of age and should be given as early as possible because the vaccine takes up to two weeks to be activated in the system.

For more information on the H1N1 virus, visit www.kdheks.gov/H1N1 or www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu. Anyone interested in receiving the seasonal flu vaccine as it becomes available can contact the Bourbon County Health Department at (620) 223-4464.