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H1N1, seasonal flu circulating Ohio

Rumors have reportedly been circulating around Columbiana County about local H1N1 cases, but health and school officials in the county did not wish to confirm or deny such occurrences.

Beaver Local Superintendent Sandra DiBacco did not comment on alleged reports of district students contracting the virus previously saying that doing so would violate the HIPAA policy (Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act).

East Liverpool City Hospital officials also would not confirm or deny any cases of H1N1 in the area. The hospital Web site did reveal that as of April 2009, one confirmed case of swine flu could be found in Lorain County.

Bob Zehentbauer of the Columbiana County Health Department said he is not aware of any H1N1 cases in the county and did not wish to elaborate.

Beaver Local High School Principal Thomas Sapp said in a previous interview that a teacher in the high school had friends in North Carolina who contracted the virus and recovered. Sapp said according to the teacher, the virus seemed a lot like the flu.

Information regarding the H1N1 virus provided by the County Health Department stresses that it is different from seasonal flu, though many symptoms are similar. H1N1 symptoms include fatigue, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, chills, coughing and sneezing. However, H1N1 is different from seasonal flu because it is a new flu virus, whereas other seasonal flu viruses are typically related to one another. Because it is a new virus, there is no way for the human body to build up immunity to H1N1 on its own.

Bret Atkins, public affairs officer for the Ohio Department of Health, stated that about 98 percent of labs taken across the country are showing H1N1 as opposed to seasonal flu. "Probably in a month or so we will see those numbers change, and we will start to see a large amount of seasonal flu," he added.

While some cases of H1N1 can result in death, most are not that serious, Atkins said. "A lot of people are getting sick, but recover. Very few of those who get sick have to be hospitalized and very few of those that are hospitalized pass away," he said.

Yet, Atkins also stated that flu is among the top ten causes of death every year in Ohio.

A press release from the Ohio Department of Health regarding a submitted order to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for 61,500 doses of the H1N1 vaccine targeted at health care and EMS workers stated that H1N1 and seasonal flu are circulating Ohio. The release also stated that the Ohio Department of Health is reporting widespread flu activity to the CDC.

When asked if any cases of H1N1 have been reported in Columbiana County, Atkins replied that states are no longer keeping an individual count because "it would be a phenomenally hard number to try to keep track of " (regarding both H1N1 and seasonal flu).

Other factors that hinder reporting H1N1 cases are that some people may decide not to see a doctor, Atkins said. Atkins also said doctors may not request a lab confirmation, instead prescribing medication and allowing it to run its course.

Maintaining cleanliness and getting a vaccination are the best ways to avoid contracting H1N1 according to numerous health and other officials, including Atkins and Ohio Department of Health Director Alvin D. Jackson, M.D. Jackson stated in a press release, "We continue to urge Ohioans to take steps to protect themselves."

Atkins said precautions include staying away from those who are sick. If you have symptoms seek out a doctor and stay home from work or school until you are fever free for 24 hours without taking fever reducing medicine. "Children should not be given aspirin or any medicine containing aspirin. Use Tylenol fever reducers," he said.

Yet another measure to stay free of H1N1 is to receive a vaccine. The Ohio Department of Health estimates that the 61,500 doses of H1N1 vaccine known as FluMist from the CDC should be arriving in the state within a few days.

Jackson said in the press release that this vaccine - as well as subsequent allocations - will help provide protection from pandemic flu.

According to a Columbiana County Health Department press release the initial FluMist vaccine will be distributed to first responders and health care workers who provide direct patient care. The vaccine will be made available for the remainder of the Tier 1 target population after the receipt of subsequent shipments of vaccine.

Tier 1 target population includes pregnant women, people who live or care for children younger than 6 months; all people 6 months to 24 years old and people 25-64 with chronic medical conditions. School aged children are also included in this target population and their vaccines will be made available at school based POD's when the vaccine becomes available.