Swine flu - novel H1N1 cases in New York State as of May 19, 2009. Click on image for larger map.

There are 273 cases of novel H1N1 or swine flu recorded in New York State at this time. 192 of them are in New York City and 81 outside the city. The city and its New York suburban counties have a total of 253 cases. Fairfield County, Connecticut, which is the nearest county to New York City, has 42 additional cases, 71% of Connecticut’s total case count.

19 schools have been or are about to be closed by the New York City Health Department. They are:

15 schools in Queens (I.S. 238, P.S. 16, Q255, I.S. 5, JHS 74, P.S. 107, M.S. 158, Our Lady of Lourdes, I.S. 25, World Journalism Preparatory, Q233, P.S. 209, P9, P.S. 19 and P.S. 32) and one in Brooklyn (I.S. 318)

Health Commissioner Thomas R. Frieden and Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein today announced that the City Health Department has recommended closing three more schools – two in Queens and one in Lower Manhattan, for up to five school days after documenting unusually high and sustained number of influenza-like illness over a number of days. The three schools will be closed beginning Wednesday, May 20^th.

The three schools are:

• P.S. 130 (Fernando De Soto, 1,081 students), in Lower Manhattan. A total of 76 students were documented with influenza-like illness during the last six school days.
• P.S. 35 (Nathaniel Woodhull, 615 students), in Hollis. A total of 32 students were documented with influenza-like illness during the last seven school days.
• Merrick Academy Charter School (495 students), in Jamaica. A total of 19 students were documented with influenza-like illness during the last two school days.

Note that the closings are due to influenza-like illness (ILI), not directly to novel H1N1. Recent data from the CDC suggests that some 88% of ILI’s are not influenza of any type. Seasonal influenza is also still in play, and the CDC data suggest that over 8% of the ILI cases will be seasonal flu. Novel H1N1 is NOT the prevalent illness in most instances.

NYS Department of Health
Statement from Richard F. Daines, M.D., Commissioner

Since Governor Paterson put the state on high alert, State and local health officials and emergency preparedness workers have been working around the clock to respond to this H1N1 outbreak. Their efforts have enabled New York to respond swiftly to stay one step ahead of this situation.

As the H1N1 outbreak continues to evolve, it’s not surprising to see this virus show up in new counties where it hasn’t been detected before.

Last night, the State Department of Health’s Wadsworth Laboratories tested 49 specimens, including two repeat tests from Wednesday, from 49 individuals with suspected H1N1.

Specimens from four patients were probable for H1N1 – one each in Lewis, Nassau, Orange, and Westchester counties.

All four cases are linked to recent travel to Mexico or contact with persons who had recent travel to Mexico.

This brings the total number of probable cases in New York State outside of New York City to 13. Of those, 12 were tested at our Wadsworth Laboratories. One case from Nassau County was tested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The individuals affected are recovering and their symptoms have been mild to moderate.

In addition, 15 specimens we tested were positive for ordinary seasonal flu and 30 were negative for any type of influenza.

As of last night, there are 82 confirmed or probable cases in Queens.

There also are:

• 3 cases in Nassau County;
• 2 cases in Suffolk County;
• 1 case in Westchester County;
• 3 cases in Orange County;
• 1 case in Cortland County;
• 1 case in Chautauqua County;
• 1 case in Monroe County; and
• 1 case in Lewis County.

These results show that even the smallest and most naturally socially distanced counties, such as Lewis County, will have cases of H1N1.

To date, a total of 96 specimens from counties outside of New York City have been tested. Of those:

• 60 tested negative for H1N1;
• 24 were positive for seasonal flu; and
• 12 were probable for H1N1.

Validation by CDC of the accuracy of the specimen testing performed by our Wadsworth Laboratories is still pending.

Once the accuracy is validated, New York no longer will need to send specimens to CDC for confirmatory testing, as confirmatory testing for H1N1 will be performed in our Wadsworth Laboratories.

As of today, the Fabius-Pompey School District and the Bemus Point Central School are closed.

This morning, CDC updated guidelines for dismissal of K-12 students and closure of child care facilities when there is a laboratory confirmed case of H1N1.

The guidelines expand the minimum duration of closing to 14 days – to allow the virus complete its course before students return to school.

Pre-emptive closing of all schools in the district as well as neighboring districts could be considered.

When students are dismissed, all related gatherings also should be cancelled, and parents and students should avoid congregating in large numbers outside of school settings.

These decisions should be made locally by schools in consultation with local health officials.

The Department briefed more than 500 long-term care providers across the State. We provided updates to city and county public health directors.

Letters are being sent to pharmacists and physicians throughout the State advising them of updated guidelines for the use of antiviral mediations such as Tamiflu. These letters will also ask their assistance to help patients understand how they can stay healthy during this outbreak and when to call the doctor – as well as with rendering care and treatment consistent with Department guidance.

The Department is supplying laboratory specimen collection kits to 57 counties outside of New York City to help support local specimen collection needs during this outbreak.

The viral respiratory specimen collection kit includes the recommended swabs needed to secure the specimen and the tools necessary to stabilize the sample during shipping.

Coordinated statewide efforts to track this virus are enabled by our real-time, electronic reporting system. The Department has trained all counties outside of New York City on this reporting system.

All influenza can be serious. Each year on average there are 36,000 seasonal influenza-related deaths in the U.S. – including approximately 2,000 deaths in New York State.

The symptoms of H1N1 may include fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Diarrhea and vomiting have been reported as symptoms, as well.

New Yorkers experiencing severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, should seek immediate medical attention. For those experiencing mild or moderate symptoms, it is best to consult with your health care provider and recover at home.

The best protection against any influenza is to follow common-sense precautions such as frequent hand-washing, staying home from work or school if you are ill, and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze.

For questions about H1N1, call the Department’s hotline at 1-800-808-1987. New York City residents should call 311.

The outbreak of disease in people caused by a new influenza virus of swine origin continues to grow in the United States and internationally. Today, CDC reports additional confirmed human infections, hospitalizations and the nation’s first fatality from this outbreak.

CDC

The news media is full of reports of possible, probable and confirmed cases throughout the United States. The CDC updated its numbers last about two hours ago.

Indiana’s Health Department is reporting 1 case.

California reports 1 more than the CDC.

New Jersey is reporting 5 probable cases.

Neither Florida or North Carolina currently have any swine flu cases reported on their website. The New York City site continues to have only the cases from St. Francis.

Total of 28 swine flu cases at St. Francis High. 17 more are probable. All are mild cases, all patients are recovering or stable. Clear evidence of human to human transmission since most patients have no history of travel.

Suspicion is that case count at the school may approach 100.

St. Francis is only outbreak in New York City.

St. Francis patients asked to stay home for 7-10 days, or 48 hours after feeling better, whichever is longer.

NYC residents are going to emergency departments at hospitals with AND without symptoms. Please DO NOT go to the hospital unless you are severely ill. So far, illness is mild. If you feel ill, stay home.