Out of the Past - 11 Years Ago - July 23, 2009
H1N1: Officials stress prevention
Residents of Broken Bow received somewhat shocking news last week, when a press release from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that a local resident was officially listed as the first Nebraska death due to the H1N1 virus.
While many in central Nebraska may feel like our location makes us immune to such diseases, this case serves as a stark reminder that we are not. However, health officials stress there is no reason to panic.
Chuck Cone, executive director of the Loup Basin Public Health Department, confirms that this case was one of two H1N1 cases in Custer County. The other, 10-year-old girl, was not hospitalized and is fully recovering at home.
The case that claimed the life was unique, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joann Schaefer, in that this individual had several chronic, underlying health conditions already. Schaefer says the flu virus did worsen the person’s conditions and was a contributing factor in the death.
As of Monday, there have been 264 confirmed cases of the flu so far in Nebraska, with only 13 of those requiring hospitalization. Most experience only mild to moderate symptoms, Cone says, consisting mainly of a sore throat, cough and fever-much like other flu viruses.
These relatively mild symptoms can make diagnosis difficult, as many of those who might have the virus never feel sick enough to go to the doctor. Health officials have asked that only those experiencing moderate to severe symptoms see a doctor, so as not to overwhelm the health care system with mild cases.
The Custer County cases make it clear the virus is in the community, with 73 percent of the cases in the state affecting those age 24 and under. Cone says the virus has slowed down during the summer months but is expected to pick back up in the winter, adding “the novel N1N1 influenza virus is not going to go away.”
The public health department urges the public to be vigilant in protecting themselves by practicing good hygiene.
“We have had an increase in cases, and we expect this to continue,” said Dr. Schaefer. “We will remain vigilant in our surveillance, along with the CDC, for antiviral resistance or mutation of the virus.”
Spread of the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flue spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you. are sick, as well as while you are sick.