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Health Alliance confirms county's first cases of swine flu
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Published: June 12, 2009
Updated: 06/15/2009 10:02 am
The Cabarrus County Health Alliance confirmed Friday the county's first two cases of the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as Swine Flu.
Two daycare children who presented flu-like symptoms where confirmed as having the virus Thursday, the same day the World Health Organization officially announced H1N1 was a pandemic.
The announcement doesn't indicate a heightened threat level, but indicates health officials believe it has spread globally at an unstoppable pace.
William Pilkington, Cabarrus County's public health director, said only one of the two children confirmed with the virus was a Cabarrus County resident.
Both children presented only mild symptoms and were instructed to limit contact with others for seven days to prevent further spreading the virus, then released to the care of parents.
Pilkington would not identify the children or the daycare facility they attended.
The Cabarrus Health Alliance spent Friday morning notifying area physicians of the confirmed cases and checking with officials at the daycare for other children displaying similar symptoms.
Pilkington said a third child presented symptoms and will be treated as if infected. The state, he said, does not test potential cases that have had known contact with confirmed cases, and, instead, treats those cases with the same care as confirmed cases to avoid further exposure.
Letters were sent home with other children at the childcare center, and officials are working with the families of the two confirmed cases in hopes of determining where the children may have come into contact with the virus. Pilkington said tracing back the source will be difficult because the H1N1 virus has spread across the country.
Through Friday, North Carolina Public Health reported a total of 96 confirmed cases of the virus across the state, including one case in Rowan County.
Nationwide, the numbers swelled to more than 18,000 cases, including 45 deaths, according to Associated Press reports.
Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Contact managing editor Jonathan E. Coleman at 704-789-9105
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