Connecticut State Department of Public Health

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE             CONTACT: Chris Cooper, 860-524-7313

May 11, 2009                                                            christopher.cooper@ct.gov         

 

 

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 3 new cases of novel H1N1 flu (swine flu) among Connecticut residents.

 

            Positive results for H1N1 flu were received today by the Department of Public Health for residents of Hartford, Ridgefield, and Stamford. These confirmation results were for probable cases previously identified by the state Public Health Laboratory and sent to the CDC for confirmation testing.  The Public Health Laboratory now has the ability to conduct its own confirmation testing. 

 

            “We continue to expect new cases and fortunately, the cases we have seen continue to be relatively mild and people are recovering without needing to spend time in a hospital,” Governor Rell said. “We also continue to urge folks to take simple precautions to avoid catching or spreading the illness.”

 

            A total of 28 confirmed cases have now been identified among Connecticut residents, with one probable case still pending. Among the 29 cases, ages range from 4 to 56; 16 are female and 13 are male. Cases are from the following counties: Fairfield, 18; Hartford, 5; New Haven, 3; New London, 2; and Middlesex, 1.

 

            All twenty nine cases have been contacted by DPH epidemiologists.  All of those individuals are recovering or have recovered and none required hospitalization.

 

            “The Department of Public Health will continue to monitor for additional cases,” the Governor said. “We continue to encourage people to take simple, common-sense precautions to protect themselves and prevent the spread of the flu. People with flu-like symptoms should call their doctor.”

 

            DPH continues to ask residents to take precautions to prevent getting the flu or spreading it by staying home from work or school if they are sick, washing their hands frequently, and coughing or sneezing into their sleeve or a tissue.

 

           For more information on swine flu:

 

 

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