Categorized | H1N1 Flu (swine flu), Health

Hawaii has ‘probable’ cases of H1N1 Flu

Media Releases compiled by Karin Stanton/Hawaii247.com Contributing Editor

The state Department of Health is awaiting laboratory confirmation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on three probable cases of novel H1N1 Influenza A (swine-origin flu).  

The DOH State Laboratories Division began conducting validation tests to subtype influenza samples and identify novel H1N1 cases Saturday after receiving testing materials from CDC Saturday morning. 

The first preliminary tests completed at SLD on Sunday, May 3 were presumptively positive, and samples were sent to CDC for confirmatory testing.

“With 36 states now confirming cases of novel H1N1 Influenza A or swine-origin flu, it is only a matter of time before Hawaii also identifies its first case,” said Health Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino.  “Our department continues to monitor for and investigate possible cases for confirmation. Fortunately, the three probable cases awaiting confirmation had mild illness, and all have recovered at home.”

The three probable cases are Oahu residents.  

Two of the cases are adults, one with recent travel to Texas and the other becoming ill after exposure to their spouse. The third separate probable case is a school-aged child with recent travel to California. 

All three cases are considered probable as opposed to confirmed pending confirmation by CDC in Atlanta. CDC received the specimens and has prioritized them for testing. Results are expected within the next two days.  

Dr. Sarah Park, state Epidemiologist and Chief of the Disease Outbreak Control Division said, “The one school-aged case did not attend school while ill. Therefore, at this time, school closure is not necessary. However, we have notified the Department of Education Superintendent Pat Hamamoto so that DOE may be fully apprised.   

CDC must validate the state tests.

“After validation, we will be able to provide timely confirmation to help guide precautionary measures,” Fukino said. 

As of 11 a.m. ET, 5 May 2009, novel H1N1 flu cases have been confirmed in at least 38 states so far, and more cases are expected. CDC is reporting 403 laboratory confirmed cases nationwide. 

As of 16:00 GMT, 5 May 2009, the World Health Organization reports 21 countries have officially reported 1490 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Mexico has reported 822 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 29 deaths. The United States has reported 403 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths – Austria (1), Canada (140), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Colombia (1), Costa Rica (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (4), Germany (9), Ireland (1), Israel (4), Italy (5), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (6), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (2), Spain (57), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (27).

— Find out more:

Hawaii Department of Health: www.hawaii.gov/doh

Office of the Governor: www.hawaii.gov/gov

Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov/swineflu

 

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