NEWS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
COURT HOUSE, NORRISTOWN, PA., BOX 311, 19404-0311
PHONE (610) 278-3061 FAX 278-5943
COMMISSIONERS:
JAMES R. MATTHEWS, Chairman, JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, Vice Chairman, BRUCE L. CASTOR, JR, Commissioner
RELEASE: IMMEDIATELY 05/01/09 PR#09-24
Montgomery County Receives Second Probable H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) Case
CONTACT: Michael Baysinger
610-278-5117
Norristown - The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) and the Montgomery County Health Department today reported the state's fifth probable case of swine influenza. Currently, Pennsylvania does not have any confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1.
The case occurred in a 28-year-old male in Lower Merion Township who became ill on April 28. The patient has not traveled in the last month and has had no known contact with ill persons. The Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of Laboratories confirmed influenza A infection and has forwarded the specimen to CDC for confirmatory analysis.
By CDC case definition, this is defined as a probable case of the 2009 H1N1 influenza. Please be advised, however, that CDC will be conducting confirmatory testing.
The Montgomery County Health Department is actively searching for possible cases of swine flu. Probable cases are recommended to self-isolate at their homes and complete appropriate anti-viral treatment.
All public health agencies in Pennsylvania have intensified surveillance efforts statewide and this possible case was identified as part of those efforts. The samples from this patient have been sent to CDC and results of additional testing will be released once they are available.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is updating the information on its website as additional probable cases are reported. A link to that page can be found at the Health Department’s website:
www.health.montcopa.org
The Montgomery County Health Department will not issue press releases for additional probable cases, but it will report if there is a confirmed case.
As with any influenza, citizens are reminded to take the following steps to prevent spreading illness to others:
- Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others;
- Cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues;
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
- Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting plenty of rest and exercise; and
- Seek care if you have influenza-like illness.
For the latest flu information, visit the Montgomery County Health Department’s website at:
www.health.montcopa.org
The PA Department of Health website also is being updated daily with the most recent Pennsylvania-specific swine flu information, including links to CDC recommendations and other swine flu information. For more information, visit
www.health.state.pa.us.
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