Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Update - May 7th
Latest Report for Madison & Dane County as of 3 pm
Madison WI -Public Health-Madison and Dane County (PHMDC) has been informed of two additional confirmed cases of novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus or "Swine Flu". This brings the total number of confirmed cases in Dane County to 7. All confirmed cases are preschool or school-age children enrolled in the following schools in Dane County: Westside Elementary in Sun Prairie; Holy Cross Lutheran School, St. Dennis School, Cherokee Middle School and La Follette High School in Madison. All children are at home recovering and Public Health is monitoring each case. Schools will remain open as usual. According to the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, school closure is not advised. "New information on disease severity warrants revisions of the (previous) school closure guidance. Most US cases have not been severe and are comparable in severity to seasonal influenza." The primary means to reduce the spread of influenza in schools is to focus on the early identification of ill students and staff and have them stay home for 7 days after the onset of symptoms or until 24 hours after their symptoms have disappeared, whichever is longest. To help prevent further spread of this disease: • Wash your hands and make sure your children are washing their hands, even more frequently than usual • If you are coughing, cover your mouth - preferably by coughing into your sleeve; • If anyone in your family develops symptoms of influenza, they should stay home and not have visitors. Call your doctor. If you do not have health insurance, call Public Health - Madison and Dane County at 266-4821. The sick person should stay home. Symptoms of this H1N1 Influenza are fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. For more information regarding schools and child care centers and to get the current CDC guidelines, refer to "School and Daycare Information" on our website at www.publichealthmdc.com/H1N1News. If you have further questions about H1N1 influenza, call 211 or Public Health - Madison and Dane County at 266-4821. -END- THIS IS A NEWS RELEASE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH MADISON & DANE COUNTY
