MEDIA ADVISORY

Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2009

H1N1 Virus Update

Beginning today, the department will provide tables containing information about the number of confirmed cases of H1N1 virus in Colorado. These tables, entitled “Summary of Colorado Cases,” will be updated daily between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. and can be viewed at the department’s Web site at www.cdphe.state.co.us in the upper right-hand corner. The tables provide information by county, age range and number of hospitalizations and are similar to information provided by the state for cases of West Nile virus beginning in 2003.

As of 3 p.m. today, the department is reporting 19 confirmed cases of H1N1 virus in the following counties: Adams (4), Arapahoe (5), Boulder (1), Denver (2), Douglas (1), Eagle (1), Fremont (1), Garfield (1) and Jefferson (3). None of the new cases were hospitalized; all are recovering.

These numbers will continue to change as more specimens are received and evaluated. The department is not providing numbers on reported suspect cases, only lab-confirmed cases. Also, please note there is a lag time between the time the department posts case counts and CDC’s daily postings which occur at 9 a.m. MST, so case counts may vary slightly.

Yesterday, CDC revised it's guidance on school closure.  Based on additional evidence that the severity of H1N1 is similar to that of seasonal flu, CDC is no longer recommending school closure in response to H1N1 illness in students.

Now that there is evidence of H1N1 virus circulating in the community, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is changing its guidance on testing for H1N1 illness. According to Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ned Calonge, it is not the intent of the national or state response, nor is it necessary, to diagnose or treat every case of H1N1 infection; there are insufficient testing resources for this purpose. “We need to use our testing capacity strategically and will prioritize testing for the highest public health priorities, such as hospitalized patients, health care workers with influenza-like illness, and unique outbreak situations where confirmation of the H1N1 strain will inform public health response,” he said.

Individuals who experience influenza symptoms should stay home for seven days after onset of symptoms or at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer. The state continues to work closely with public health officials in counties where cases are confirmed.

The public may continue to get general information about H1N1 by calling CoHELP at 1-877-462-2911. CoHELP hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday-Friday. Recorded messages will continue to be available at CoHELP 24 hours a day/seven days a week. People also can find information by visiting the department’s Web site at www.cdphe.state.co.us.

CONTACT: Lori Maldonado, deputy director of communications, Colorado Department of Public Health, 303-692-2028

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