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Two more deaths from 2009 H1N1 influenza have been confirmed by the Minnesota Department of Health, bringing the total number of H1N1 deaths to 12 since April. The additional deaths were confirmed in:
An adult in the 50-59 age range from south central Minnesota with no underlying health conditions.
An adolescent in the 10-19 age range from the Twin Cities metro area who did have underlying health conditions. MDH continues to investigate possible H1N1-related deaths on an ongoing basis. Information about deaths and other H1N1-related information is posted regularly to the MDH Web site at: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/flu/stats/index.html.
by Dawn Slade
The H1N1 flu virus and seasonal flu is sweeping across the state, including Mille Lacs County.
According to a spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), there are four confirmed cases of H1N1 in Mille Lacs County.
Doug Schultz of the MDH said that confirmed means the person is hospitalized and laboratory-positive influenza data is submitted to MDH.
There are numerous “confirmed” cases being sited that refer to clinic physicians conducting a rapid influenza test and noting H1N1-like symptoms.
While Schultz said these are probably H1N1 cases, they are technically not confirmed cases.
Since Sept. 1, there have been 380 confirmed H1N1 hospitalizations (640 since the virus was first identified in the state).
Three more Minnesota deaths related to H1N1 were reported recently (all had underlying health problems), bringing the total number of deaths to 10. (Two more were reported Wed. Oct. 28, bringing the total to 12).
Other confirmed cases in the area, include five in Benton County, six in Isanti, two in Kanabec, nine in Sherburne, and six in Morrison County.
Since Sept. 1, the largest number of those affected by the H1N1 virus is children between the ages of 5 and 18, with over 130 hospitalizations.
Schools
On Friday, Milaca Public Schools sent out information to parents regarding the elementary school reaching the MDH threshold for reporting absences.
That threshold is reached when three or more students are absent from one or more classrooms with influenza like symptoms.
The school reported the information to the state on Thursday, Oct. 22.
Student attendance rates at Milaca Public Schools is slightly lower than normal.
At the elementary site 93.7 percent were in attendance and 94.1 percent at the high school. The usual attendance rate is approximately 97 percent. Not all of the students are absent with flu-like symptoms.
By Friday, the lowest absence rate was 93.4 percent.
The school administration notes that if your student is experiencing a fever over 100.0 degrees and has a cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, and in some cases diarrhea and vomiting, the student should not be at school.
Students need to stay home 24 hours after the fever is gone, without using fever-reducing medication, and be able to participate in normal classroom activities before they return to school.
Community Christian School Principal Amy Banks said she reported to the state on Monday, Oct. 26 with five percent of the 103 students out sick. Some of those, she noted were fevers, strep throat and a case of pink eye.
“We’ve been really healthy to this point,” Banks said.
No staff is out at this time and Banks said, “That’s a huge plus.”
The school staff is sterilizing items and is working to educate the students about safe practices during flu season, such as not sharing items and covering coughs.
As of Wednesday, Oct. 28, 288 schools reported outbreaks of influenza-like illness last week.
FluLine
The MDH has a flu hotline that can be called 24 hours a day (1-866-259-4655).
Response to the FluLine has been “very heavy” according to the MDH. Within 22 hours, the hotline had received 2,100 calls.
Needless to say, users may experience delays.
“This is the first service of its kind in the country, so we had anticipated the need to make some adjustments when the FluLine number went live,” Craig Acomb, assistant commissioner of health, said. “What we couldn’t have predicted was the magnitude of the response. We are monitoring use of the system very closely, and looking at a number of possible strategies for increasing our capacity.”
Vaccine shipments are expected to continue over the coming months. The government’s goal is to have 251 million doses available through five vaccine manufacturers.
At this time, health care workers, the highest risk pediatric patients, and pregnant women are eligible to receive the vaccine.
Priority will then be given to the remaining children and adults under 25 years of age and those under 65 who have certain medical conditions.
If you have the flu, stay home from work or school and avoid going in public for 24 hours after your symptoms resolve (without the aid of fever-reducing medication).
Employers should encourage their staff to stay home if they are sick.
Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze and wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water.
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