AUGUSTA – The number of Mainers affected by H1N1 influenza rose to 13 today, with an adult from Cumberland County being newly identified.
In Maine, there are now four adults and one youth in York County; three adults in Kennebec County; one adult, one young adult and two youths in Cumberland County; and one youth in Penobscot County.
Four of the 13 test results have been confirmed by U.S. CDC; all four are in York County. Six out of the 13 patients traveled to an area with confirmed H1N1. Of the seven who did not travel out of state, five have no known contact with an identified patient. “This points out that as the infection spreads and re-circulates, the numbers of cases and specific locations become less meaningful,” explained Dr. Dora Anne Mills, Director of the Maine CDC. “There clearly are other people with H1N1 in Maine and probably other specific locations such as other schools and counties involved as well. The number of identified cases simply indicates the presence of H1N1 in Maine. The strategies recommended the last two weeks continue to be very important.”
Proper respiratory etiquette remains a critical component of reducing the spread of H1N1 and includes the following:
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with a fever and respiratory symptoms, stay home from work or school for seven days and limit contact with others to avoid infecting them.
Maine’s current allocation for the federal Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) antiviral medications and personal protection equipment (PPE) has been placed at nine pre-defined regional distribution hospitals. A system for request and distribution of emergency medications has been in place for sometime and was developed in partnership with the hospitals, Maine CDC and the Northern New England Poison Center.
For facts about influenza, and more information about H1N1 flu, please visit the Maine CDC and U.S. CDC Web sites. Some specific resources:
For facts about influenza, and more information about H1N1 flu and schools:
Maine CDC: www.mainepublichealth.gov; or www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/swine-flu-2009.shtml
U.S. CDC: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
Preventing the Flu: www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm
Maine Department of Education: www.maine.gov/education/h1n1/
