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Swine Flu cases rise but none known in Genesee County

By Billie Owens

UPDATE: After this was posted, we did receive an e-mail from the County indicating a possible and a suspected case of 'Swine Flu' had been found in Genesee County. More here.

People need to be on high alert for Swine Flu, but not panicky, according to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.

No cases are known to exist in Genesee County. There's one suspected case in Monroe County and another Chautauqua.

We called the Genesee County Health Department for an update on any local information and were told that the department has been inundated with media inquires. A staff member said an e-mail would be sent to media outlets this afternoon with an update, but as of 5 p.m. none was received.

The status of the illness is Phase 5, meaning it spreads easily from person to person but a health crisis is not imminent. Phase 6 is the highest alert.

According to a spokesman for the New York State Department of Health today there are 89 cases of suspected H1N1 virus statewide not including New York City.

Suspected cases have flu-like symptoms but have not been tested. Probable cases are lab tested with results pending and actual cases have been confirmed by the lab.

Of these 89 suspected cases, eight specimens tested probable for the virus, but none thus far have been confirmed. Yesterday, there were only three probable cases in New York outside New York City -- those in Suffolk and Cortland counties. Today there are five new probable cases, consisting of one case in five different counties -- Monroe, Chautauqua, Orange, Suffolk and Nausau. Again, none confirmed as yet.

Commonsense precautions are being advised. Avoid confined spaces with lots of people. Wash your hands often. Avoid touching your face. Dispose of used tissues in a covered container. If you're sick, stay home. Follow doctors' orders.

Brian Hillabush

Two schools in New York State have canceled classes this week and the NYSPHSAA is looking at possibly changing state schedules if more cases show up in New York.

"The staff and I are looking at our spring championships to be pro-active rather than reactive," NYSPHSAA Executive Director Nina Van Erk said this afternoon. "We're gathering the facts so that we can make informed decisions."

http://www.newyorksportswriters.org/blog/blog-2009-04-30.shtml

Apr 30, 2009, 3:58pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

Thank goodness everyone got the worthless flu shot. Taking Tama- flu or not its (swine) mild in America so far. Its frickin flu ! The media makes this out to be a plague or something. geez hate to see how much this is going to cost.

Apr 30, 2009, 4:38pm Permalink
Beth Kinsley

I think the difference with this and the flu that we are used to seeing is that healthy young people are dying. Usually it is just the young and elderly that die but this is different, at least in Mexico. I'm kind of worried. We have an office in NYC and people travel back and forth between the offices all the time. I think I'll stock up on Purel tonight. I hope I can find some!

Apr 30, 2009, 5:12pm Permalink
Loren Penman

Channel 13 is reporting one SUSPECTED case of swine flu in Genesee County and one CONFIRMED case (along with several suspected) in Monroe County.

Apr 30, 2009, 5:14pm Permalink
sheri dana

I personally think that all trips out of state or on airplanes should be haulted. esp the senior trip to nyc that is all we need to have it broght back here more! Its sad and not fair i know but geeez at this time whats more important.

i am personaly worried for the nursing homes and my kids in school.

May 1, 2009, 9:19am Permalink

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