Public HealthFirst Cases Of Novel H1N1 Influenza Identified In Etowah And Mobile Counties
The Alabama Department of Public Health has identified 14 new cases of novel H1N1 influenza,
including the first cases identified in Etowah and Mobile counties. This brings the total number
of probable and confirmed cases in the state to 55.
Of all probable and confirmed cases, 32 individuals are residents of Madison County, 7 of
Jefferson County, 6 of Montgomery County, 3 of Limestone County, 2 of Pike County, 2 of
Mobile County, 1 of Shelby County, 1 of Calhoun County, and 1 of Etowah County.
The age range of novel H1N1 cases is from 2 to 70, with a median age of 9. Thirty-six of the
state"s 55 total cases are children under 13 years of age. Of the 32 cases in Madison County,
27 are also children under 13 years of age.
The Alabama Department of Public Health laboratory has received more than 1,500 samples
and more than 900 have been tested for novel H1N1 influenza. The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention has validated the laboratory to perform the testing that confirms novel influenza
H1N1 cases.
CDC recommends implementation of measures that focus on keeping all students, faculty and
staff with symptoms of influenza out of schools and child care facilities during their period of
illness when they are potentially infectious to others.
Students and faculty with influenza-like illness should stay home and not attend school or go
into the community except to seek medical care until they meet both of the following criteria: a
minimum of seven days from onset of illness and 24 hours free of symptoms. Students or staff
who appear to have influenza-like illness at arrival or become ill during a school day should be
isolated promptly in a room separate from other students and sent home.
The Alabama Department of Public Health does not recommend cancelling large group events
based on concerns of novel H1N1 influenza. Individuals should try to curtail the spread of
influenza by realizing the virus is circulating in the population. Individuals who are ill should not
attend group events to avoid spreading the virus to others. Persons with underlying medical
conditions which would place them at greater potential risk are also advised to avoid group
events.
Prescription antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza are available and provide effective
treatment. They should be taken within the first 48 hours of illness.
The symptoms of novel H1N1 influenza are similar to the symptoms of traditional influenza and
include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have
reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with novel H1N1 influenza. Close associates should
limit their contact with others for a period of seven days from the time they were exposed.
The incubation period from the moment of exposure to novel H1N1 influenza until symptoms
develop is two to seven days. Individuals are infectious to others one day before until seven
days after symptoms develop. Persons who develop symptoms of respiratory illness should
contact their medical provider.
The department Web site at http://www.adph.org will provide regular updates of case counts of novel
H1N1 influenza within the state.
Alabama Department of Public Health
*See our Map Of H1N1 Outbreaks
*See our Mexico Swine Flu Blog