FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE             CONTACT: Adam Liegeot, 860-301-4055

May 2, 2009                                                           Diana Lejardi, DPH, 860-250-6164

Governor Rell: CDC Confirms

Second H1N1 Flu Case in Connecticut

6 More ‘Probable’ H1N1 Flu Cases

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that a child from Middlefield has tested positive for the H1N1 flu, or swine flu, virus.  In addition, the Department of Public Health (DPH) Laboratory has identified six additional “probable” cases of H1N1 flu in Connecticut.

Yesterday, Governor Rell and DPH announced the first confirmed case, a Stratford resident, in Connecticut.  Results from a Southbury resident were inconclusive for H1N1 flu and further tests are planned by the CDC.  Twenty-one states have confirmed cases of H1N1 flu.  There have been a total of 160 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu in the United States to date.  One death was reported in Texas.

Five of the additional “probable” cases are students at Fairfield University.  The other “probable” case is a child from Wethersfield.  The announcement of the six new “probable” cases brings the total number of “probable” cases of H1N1 flu in Connecticut to thirteen.  The specimens were tested at the DPH laboratory and were determined to be “non-subtypeable” strains of Influenza A, which means that the viruses are not regular seasonal flu. The specimens are being forwarded to the CDC to determine whether the viruses are the H1N1 flu.  All cases have recovered or are recovering.  None of the cases have required hospitalization. 

“Again, this is news we had anticipated,” Governor Rell said. “It is important to remember that these cases involve people whose illness was relatively mild, since they are now feeling better and never needed hospitalization. While there is no vaccine yet for H1N1 flu, we do have antiviral medications that can shorten the duration and the severity of the illness and we are monitoring very closely for additional cases.”

            “Connecticut has made great strides in recent years in preparing for major outbreaks of illness,” the Governor said. “The most important thing to do right now is to stay informed and to take common-sense steps to protect your health and the health of your family.”

Since Monday, the DPH Laboratory has tested 271 specimens for Influenza A.  Thirty-one of the specimens tested positive for seasonal Influenza A and thirteen were positive for Influenza A but were “non-subtypeable.”  The remaining tests were negative for Influenza A.

“Tests conducted by our laboratory show that in addition to the new H1N1 viral strain there is still seasonal flu in Connecticut,” stated DPH Commissioner Dr. J. Robert Galvin. “The most effective ways to protect yourself and others from H1N1 and seasonal flu are by staying home if you’re sick, coughing or sneezing into your sleeve or a tissue, and washing your hands frequently with soap and water.”

For more information on H1N1 flu (swine flu):

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
• Connecticut Flu Watch: www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch
• Connecticut Department of Public Health: www.ct.gov/dph
• Call 2-1-1

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