WVU offers information to head off possible flu outbreak

As in past years, West Virginia University officials are joining other universities, public schools, health departments, businesses and the local community to help protect against (and plan for) a possible influenza outbreak.

First confirmed probable H1N1 case for Monongalia County.
Morgantown, WV—Thursday, May 28, 2009

Dr. Vincent P. Kolanko, Monongalia County Health Officer announced today that Monongalia County has received its first probable H1N1 case. A twenty-one year old, female, Monongalia County resident has been treated for symptoms associated with the novel H1N1 virus. The West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources, in partnership with local health departments, is investigating probable cases of Swine Flu in Cabell, Raleigh and Wood counties as well. The cases tested positive in the state lab and will now be confirmed in a certified lab. Final test results are expected early next week.

A probable case of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as a person with an influenza-like-illness who is positive for influenza A, but negative for human H1 and H3 by influenza RT_PCR. “After several weeks of investigating illness reports, this is the first probable case for the area. We traced a lot of leads that tested negative. It was just a matter of time before the first case was found” stated Robert White, Regional Epidemiologist for the Health Department. Dr. Kolanko stated that “The public message remains the same … wash your hands often with soap and water, try to avoid close contact with sick people, and do not go to work or school if you are sick. Currently there is no vaccine/medicine available for the prevention of H1N1 flu.”

The MCHD will continue to “provide CDC reporting recommendations for probable cases to hospital representatives and local physicians. The health department’s emphasis will remain public education and disease prevention. Wash your hands frequently and stay home if you’re sick” stated Cindy Graham, Public Health Nursing Program Manager for the Monongalia County Health Department. Health experts at West Virginia University have been taking special precautions at all clinics and hospitals since the first cases were diagnosed in the US. “When patients come to our emergency department or to WVU Urgent Care, or to our clinics, we have been supplying them with masks if they have flu symptoms,” Rashida Khakoo, M.D., WVU chief of infectious diseases, said.

The staff of the Monongalia County Health Department would like to extend their thanks to the community for their assistance in responding to the recent H1N1 virus threat. Continued diligence on each individuals part in helping to reduce the spread of disease is paramount to protecting our community health. The CDC recommendations below are intended to reduce the spread of influenza infection in communities:
1. Persons with influenza-like illness (ILI) (i.e., fever with either cough or sore throat) should be advised to stay home for 7 days after the onset of illness or at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer.
2. Persons who are at high risk of complications from novel influenza A (H1N1) infection (for example, persons with certain chronic medical conditions, children less than 5 years, persons 65 or older, and pregnant women) should consider their risk of exposure to novel influenza if they attend public gatherings in communities where novel influenza A virus is circulating. In communities with several reported cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, persons who are at risk of complications from influenza should consider staying away from public gatherings. West Virginia currently does not have any confirmned cases of H1N1.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk, for example, and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands. All persons should be reminded to take the following everyday actions to stay healthy:
3. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
4. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Due to the current epidemic, re-consider the custom of hand shaking and other activities that allow for the easy transmission of viruses/germs.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
5. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
6. Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.

Based on currently available information, for non-healthcare settings where frequent exposures to persons with novel influenza A (H1N1) are unlikely, masks and respirators are not recommended.
Stay informed. Visit the CDC website [www.cdc.gov]. This site is updaterd regularly as public health information becomes available. Or call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

Please visit our web site at www.monchd.org or contact Shaunda Y. Rauch at the Monongalia County Health Department at 304-598-5100 with any questions or concerns.
h3. Message from Dr. Jan E. Palmer, director of Student Health Service-Updated May 6, 2009

West Virginia University has been doing everything possible to minimize the impact to our students, staff and faculty of the H1N1 influenza. WVU administrators have been in regular communication and coordinating strategy with representatives from WVU Hospitals, Student Health Service, county and state health department and campus police to determine the proper course to follow.

As of this writing, there are still no confirmed cases reported in West Virginia. According to the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, the following recommendations are still the best way to prevent spread of the virus:

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or
    sneeze.
  • Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands for 20 seconds often with soap and water,
    especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are
    also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • Don’t share drinks.
  • Keep an appropriate social distance from sick people; 6 feet is
    recommended.

The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. If you get sick, call a doctor and let him or her know ahead of time that you have the flu and need to be seen. Cover your nose and mouth with a mask or tissue before going to the doctor’s office. The CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Those with symptoms suspicious of the flu should be evaluated by a health care provider, and if confirmed to be a danger to others, they will be isolated to prevent the spread of flu. Our goal is to allow students to complete the semester as long as the environment remains safe for this to happen.

If the environment becomes unsafe, then procedures for completing the end of the semester will be outlined. Hopefully by continuing to follow CDC and WHO recommendations, WVU students will be able to successfully complete the semester.

Updated information on the Swine Flu is available which was posted on April 27, 2009.

WVU’s plan covers how to house and feed students if an outbreak should occur to how to communicate information to students, parents, employees and the public.

Plans also include staffing health clinics, maintaining buildings and caring for farm animals and research projects if a flu outbreak should occur.

On this site, WVU provides prevention tips and other useful information to protect against and treat the virus. Specific links to information on the Swine Flu are listed below.