Friday, 4 December 2009

H1N1 Update – Flu Cases Still Increasing

Public health officials have reported an increase in flu activity during the last two weeks of November.

In the third week of November, there were 178 cases of flu reported; last week there were 229 cases reported.

Since the first case of H1N1 was confirmed in June, Cayman has had a total of 112 confirmed cases of H1N1.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kiran Kumar points out that almost all schools have reported both students and staff with flu-like illnesses, and “since schools have opened, we’ve had three confirmed cases of H1N1 from schools.”

He also reminds the public that not everyone with flu-like symptoms needs to be tested for H1N1. Since June, in young people who have been tested, there have been 49 confirmed H1N1 cases in school-aged children, 5 to 16 years old. The most recent confirmed case was a student from Triple C School.

“We’re at the beginning of the traditional flu season, so an increase in flu activity is expected,” Dr. Kumar said, “but we’re continuing to stress the first line of defense -- be diligent with hand washing and cover coughs and sneezes.”