According to a Center for Disease Control H1N1 update, the virus is now
widespread in 41 states, with the majority of cases identified in
patients ages 24 and younger.
Although federal vaccination supplies are trickling to state and local heath care facilities, there is concern that the vaccines' availability and quantity is sparse.
Moreover, government sources point to lacking data, as it is impossible to accurately calculate the number of H1N1 cases in the country and in specific regions as well. According to an October 20 CDC warning, doctors should not rely on tests for treating patients with flu-like symptoms, as the rapid test is oftentimes inaccurate - 40 percent of negative tests are incorrect. Subsequently, there is a large discrepancy between the number of H1N1 cases identified by testing and the actual number of people infected with the virus.
Dr. Guthrie Birkhead, Deputy Commissioner for Public Health at the New York State Department of Health, said that surveillance systems outside New York City indicate that flu activity is starting to increase.
"New York's flu activity is currently classified as widespread under the CDC's classification system indicating that more than 50 percent of reporting jurisdictions indicate the presence of flu. New York's flu status has gone from sporadic to localized to regional activity to now widespread activity."
School districts across New York have taken measures to control the spread of H1N1 in schools, many sending students home at the first sign of a potential symptom, some schools even closing.
Schools in Saratoga County have reported confirmed cases of H1N1, and are taking measures to isolate students with the virus and those showing symptoms. Ballston Spa Central School District announced three confirmed cases in Middle School students this week.
The District is taking preventative measures, as announced on their website: "We are one of many schools throughout the area dealing with this issue, and we are working closely with the Saratoga County Health Department on the prevention of the flu in our schools. We remain proactive with preventive measures throughout the district, including sharing educational materials and increasing our focus on our school cleaning protocols. School nurses will continue to monitor illness among students, sending sick individuals home. They should also stay home for at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (without the use of fever reducing medicines). Everyone is also being asked to stay home when sick or experiencing influenza-like illnesses."
Schuylerville Central School District has not yet confirmed any cases, but Superintendent urges parents to monitor their children's health, as it is likely that the virus' presence in the community has been undetected.
"According to Schuylerville's School Physician Dr. Neilson, there are no known confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza in the district, but testing for H1N1 is only being done for hospital patients and by infection control specialists. Dr. Neilson adds that it's likely that people in our community are afflicted with H1N1 flu, as New York is among 41 states showing widespread outbreaks of all types of flu. This notification is to let you know that we're monitoring the situation in our schools and will continue to work closely with our school physician, school nurses and the local health departments to provide the safest learning environment for our students. We're mindful of the fact that flu season has started earlier than usual and younger age groups seem to be impacted at higher rates. With that being the case, district staff are continuing to encourage students to use strategies to prevent flu illnesses," Superintendent said in a written statement on the District's website.
Thus far, 204,800 doses have been distributed in New York. Saratoga County Public Health received 400 doses of the injectable H1N1 vaccine and 500 of the nasal spray on October 6. However, the supply is both limited in quantity and how it's to be distributed: priority groups are to receive it first. In order to get their hands on the initial supply, "qualifying" individuals must call the Saratoga County Public Health office to set up an appointment.
However, the Saratoga County Public Health Department was forced to cancel their scheduled seasonal influenza clinics on October 21, as vaccine distributors are unable to
supply Public Health with any additional vaccines due to reductions in the quantity of received from the manufacturers. According to the release, Public Health will schedule alternate clinic dates if they receive vaccine in the future. For updated information, visit Saratoga County Public Health's website at www.saratogacountyny.gov or call (518) 584-7460.
Moreover, government sources point to lacking data, as it is impossible to accurately calculate the number of H1N1 cases in the country and in specific regions as well. According to an October 20 CDC warning, doctors should not rely on tests for treating patients with flu-like symptoms, as the rapid test is oftentimes inaccurate - 40 percent of negative tests are incorrect. Subsequently, there is a large discrepancy between the number of H1N1 cases identified by testing and the actual number of people infected with the virus.
Dr. Guthrie Birkhead, Deputy Commissioner for Public Health at the New York State Department of Health, said that surveillance systems outside New York City indicate that flu activity is starting to increase.
"New York's flu activity is currently classified as widespread under the CDC's classification system indicating that more than 50 percent of reporting jurisdictions indicate the presence of flu. New York's flu status has gone from sporadic to localized to regional activity to now widespread activity."
School districts across New York have taken measures to control the spread of H1N1 in schools, many sending students home at the first sign of a potential symptom, some schools even closing.
Schools in Saratoga County have reported confirmed cases of H1N1, and are taking measures to isolate students with the virus and those showing symptoms. Ballston Spa Central School District announced three confirmed cases in Middle School students this week.
The District is taking preventative measures, as announced on their website: "We are one of many schools throughout the area dealing with this issue, and we are working closely with the Saratoga County Health Department on the prevention of the flu in our schools. We remain proactive with preventive measures throughout the district, including sharing educational materials and increasing our focus on our school cleaning protocols. School nurses will continue to monitor illness among students, sending sick individuals home. They should also stay home for at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (without the use of fever reducing medicines). Everyone is also being asked to stay home when sick or experiencing influenza-like illnesses."
Schuylerville Central School District has not yet confirmed any cases, but Superintendent urges parents to monitor their children's health, as it is likely that the virus' presence in the community has been undetected.
"According to Schuylerville's School Physician Dr. Neilson, there are no known confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza in the district, but testing for H1N1 is only being done for hospital patients and by infection control specialists. Dr. Neilson adds that it's likely that people in our community are afflicted with H1N1 flu, as New York is among 41 states showing widespread outbreaks of all types of flu. This notification is to let you know that we're monitoring the situation in our schools and will continue to work closely with our school physician, school nurses and the local health departments to provide the safest learning environment for our students. We're mindful of the fact that flu season has started earlier than usual and younger age groups seem to be impacted at higher rates. With that being the case, district staff are continuing to encourage students to use strategies to prevent flu illnesses," Superintendent said in a written statement on the District's website.
Thus far, 204,800 doses have been distributed in New York. Saratoga County Public Health received 400 doses of the injectable H1N1 vaccine and 500 of the nasal spray on October 6. However, the supply is both limited in quantity and how it's to be distributed: priority groups are to receive it first. In order to get their hands on the initial supply, "qualifying" individuals must call the Saratoga County Public Health office to set up an appointment.
However, the Saratoga County Public Health Department was forced to cancel their scheduled seasonal influenza clinics on October 21, as vaccine distributors are unable to
supply Public Health with any additional vaccines due to reductions in the quantity of received from the manufacturers. According to the release, Public Health will schedule alternate clinic dates if they receive vaccine in the future. For updated information, visit Saratoga County Public Health's website at www.saratogacountyny.gov or call (518) 584-7460.
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Actually, it's gone up:
The following information was updated on the CDC.Gov site at 11:30am CDT on October 23,2009:
•Forty-six states are reporting widespread influenza activity at this time. They are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. This many reports of widespread activity are unprecedented during seasonal flu.
We need to get serious about 'hands-on' prevention, which is why I must share this tip: My child came home from school saying they learned to cough and sneeze into their elbow with Germy Wormie, and I was totally taken aback. I always covered with my hands. But I went to the website and now I get it, hands touch, elbows don't!! Kids can touch 300 surfaces in 1/2 hour and they hate to wash their hands. This is a simple thing that can make a huge difference. There is also an entertaining DVD that teaches them in a fun way the elbow cough, as well as other good hygiene habits.
Yeah, I think the county is not checking who they are giving the H1N1 vaccine to. My neighbor and his wife who do not have children, are both in their late 30's easily got the shot from Saratoga county! He works out of his home and has NO contact with people and she teaches piano to kids, but I cannot see that being a "risk" goup. It makes me angry as I have two small chidlren and they cannot get the shots- my wife and I will not get the shots, becasue I believe at this point it should be for risk goup only. How are they screening who they give the shots to?