Georgia now has 25 confirmed cases of novel influenza A H1N1 infection, due in part to the state's ability to do its own confirmatory testing and turn probable cases into confirmed cases, S. Elizabeth Ford, acting director of the Georgia Division of Public Health, said Friday in a news release.
None of the cases is from the Augusta area, but health officials have stressed that they believe the virus and seasonal flu are circulating throughout the state. The largest number of cases -- 15 -- are from Henry County, where the state was investigating cases related to Eagles Landing Christian Academy. The rest are all in the metro Atlanta region, although five were tested out of state. None of the Georgia cases have been hospitalized and most have already recovered, the division said.
Rather than rely on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmatory testing, the CDC distributed test kits for the new virus to state public health labs, and after certifying the first five positive tests each state did, allows the states to do their own confirmatory testing.
Georgia is monitoring the new virus, as it does the seasonal flu virus, through a network of 79 sentinel physicians and clinics. The percentage of patients last week who reported to those offices with flulike illnesses was 5.03 percent, about five times what was seen at this time last year, according to State Influenza Surveillance Coordinator Ariane Reeves.
Click here to read the transcript from the Chronicle's live chat with MCG's Dr. Wilde. Dr. Wilde answered questions users had about the Swine Flu.
MORE NEWS - LOCAL
Two Augusta military cases probable new flu (5/06)
Confirmed cases in Georgia now total 4 (5/06)
Ga., SC expect more swine flu cases (4/30)
Georgia reports swine flu case (4/30)
CDC says 10 swine flu cases in SC (4/30)
Alabama cancels prep sports over swine flu concerns (4/30)
Local schools will adjust if closures are necessary (4/30)
Some call off, alter mission trip plans (4/30)
Precautions urged as flu deaths likely (4/29)
22 S. Carolina patients being tested (4/28)
MORE NEWS - AP
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STAY HEALTHY
- Stay informed. The CDC website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
- Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
- Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
- Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
- Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.
SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
MORE INFORMATION
For the answers to the most common H1N1 flu questions, Dr. James Wilde of MCGHealth has issued a frequently asked questions statement.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Georgia Division of Public Health
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
RESOURCES
INTERACTIVE: View an interactive Associated Press graphic that shows affected countries, gives a timeline of the history of influenza, shows how it spreads, shows levels of state readiness and gives a timeline of the current swine flu problem.
MAP: View an interactive map of reported cases of H1N1 Swine Flu.
NOTE: Map courtesy Henry L Niman, a medical researcher in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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