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Monday, February 13, 2012

By Nelson Sigelman
Published: April 30, 2009

Against a backdrop of newly confirmed cases of the potentially deadly swine flu, none of them on Martha's Vineyard but two in Massachusetts, Island health officials this week were on alert for any sign of infection.

Tim Walsh, Martha's Vineyard Hospital chief executive officer, said the hospital is taking appropriate precautions and is in close contact with state and federal health officials. The hospital has established procedures to allow patients to be quickly tested for flu infection and, if need be, hospitalized. "If we get anything, we move it along quickly to DPH (Massachusetts Department of Public Health) and CDC (Federal Centers for Disease Control)," he said.

In an email update yesterday to hospital physicians, nurses, and officials, David Caron, hospital pharmacist, said that two siblings from Lowell have tested positive for swine flu after traveling to Mexico. "The children from Lowell," he wrote, "are the first confirmed cases in New England. Health officials have not released the names or ages of the siblings, but said they are not hospitalized and are recovering."

In an earlier email, hospital infectious control nurse Donna Enos said the hospital is receiving constant updates from DPH and would keep everyone informed.

Ms. Enos wrote, "We are taking a very proactive stance and posting information on hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and what the symptoms are, as well as what the patients should do when registering for any illness that is suspect for flu."

At the town level

Local health agents are also providing information. At their regularly scheduled Tuesday selectmen's meeting, Oak Bluffs selectmen learned that health agent Shirley Fauteux is preparing a one-page fact sheet on swine flu for distribution at various public buildings throughout the town, including the post office and town hall.

Edgartown health agent Matt Poole this week posted swine flu health information on the town's web site (edgartown-ma.us/cms/).

In the school system

As was discovered in New York City last week, one of the front lines in identifying any outbreak is a community's school system.

Yesterday, Martha's Vineyard superintendent of public schools James Weiss said school officials are vigilant.

"Certainly all of our school nurses and principals have received information from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Health, alerting us to what to look for," said Mr. Weiss, "giving us sample letters and notifications, so we're ready, should anything happen."

Precautions everyone should take

Yesterday, state DPH commissioner John Auerbach said, "All Massachusetts residents can play an absolutely vital role in our efforts by taking simple, common sense precautions to keep from getting and spreading the flu."

These precautions include washing hands often with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; coughing or sneezing into a tissue or into your elbow instead of into your hands; staying home from work or school if you are sick; and limiting contact with others to avoid infecting them.

At the federal level, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have begun shipments of significant quantities of materials to help states including Massachusetts prepare and respond to the spread of swine flu. These materials include antiviral medications for treatment of individuals who are sick, along with other medical equipment and supplies if needed.

A CDC report

In a report issued yesterday at 11 am, the CDC reported that there have been 91 confirmed cases and one death in 10 states. The CDC issued the following report:

"The outbreak of disease in people caused by a new influenza virus of swine origin continues to grow in the United States and internationally. Today, CDC reports additional confirmed human infections, hospitalizations, and the nation's first fatality from this outbreak. The more recent illnesses and the reported death suggest that a pattern of more severe illness associated with this virus may be emerging in the U.S. Most people will not have immunity to this new virus and, as it continues to spread, more cases, more hospitalizations, and more deaths are expected in the coming days and weeks."

What is it?

Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs, but it's possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person as well. Swine flu is not transmitted by food and you cannot get swine flu by eating pork products.

More information is available about at the DPH website (www.mass.gov/dph/swineflu) or CDC website (www.cdc.gov/swineflu).