H1N1 flu strikes Lenoir County

The Lenoir County Health Department reported two laboratory confirmed cases of novel influenza A (H1N1), formerly known as swine flu, Friday.

"Pandemic novel influenza is present in Lenoir County," Joey Huff, Lenoir County health director, said. "It's important for the public to be aware that we still have influenza active in the community and people need to be aware of the symptoms."

As of Thursday, Lenoir Memorial Hospital had seen about 50 people who presented flu-like symptoms since the start of the week.

"We aren't testing for H1N1 unless the patient is hospitalized," Christina Miller, LMH emergency department manger, said. "Patients presenting flu-like symptoms are placed in isolation to prevent potentially exposing other people.

"If a physician suspects that it's H1N1, the patient is treated with (the anti-viral drug) Tamiflu and sent home for a seven-day home isolation."

Huff said there are a few precautions one can take to avoid contracting H1N1.

"People need to wash their hands and cover their mouth and nose when they cough and sneeze," he said. "If they develop symptoms consistent with influenza, they need to stay at home and not go to school or work."

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services public information officer Carol Schriber said it is unusual to see people with flu-like symptoms during the summer.

"A lot of health care providers are seeing people come in with influenza," she said. "Ninety-nine percent of those showing up with flu-like symptoms have H1N1.

"You can pretty much assume that someone who comes in with influenza has H1N1."

The first confirmed case of H1N1 in North Carolina was reported to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services on May 3. NCDHHS reported 179 confirmed cases of H1N1 in 39 counties. A Guilford county resident, who died Wednesday, was the first death linked to the flu.

The World Health Organization reports 21,449 confirmed H1N1 cases in the United States and 87 deaths nationwide.

Sarah Campbell can be reached at (252) 559-1076 or scampbell@freedomenc.com.

H1N1 flu symptoms

Fever of 100 degrees or higher

Sore, scratchy throat

Cough

Body aches

Headaches

Source: Lenoir County Health Department

H1N1 By the Numbers

Confirmed cases

21,449 - United States

179 - North Carolina

9 - Craven County

4 - Onslow County

4 - Pitt County

Source: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services