Nassau County Department of Health is announcing the County’s first death in a confirmed case of Novel H1N1 Influenza A virus. The death occurred in an adult female who recently gave birth. The woman, between the ages of 20 and 30, was admitted to the hospital on June 5 with fever and respiratory symptoms and was confirmed with H1N1 Influenza A virus on June 15th by the New York State Department of Health’s Wadsworth Laboratory. She delivered a healthy baby by caesarian section on June 5th and on June 7th was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit where she died today. The Nassau County Medical Examiner will be performing an autopsy.

There are now 74 confirmed cases of the virus in Nassau County. Most cases have been mild and have either fully recovered or are recovering. None are hospitalized at this time. New York State Department of Health issues a daily update on the number of confirmed cases in the state (including NYC): http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/influenza/h1n1/docs/state_h1n1_cases_by _county.pdf

Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Confirmatory Testing Criteria: Currently in NYS, only public health laboratories can perform the testing needed to confirm novel influenza A (H1N1). In general, testing for novel influenza A (H1N1) will only be conducted on specimens from patients who have been reported to Nassau County Department of Health and approved for testing in advance of specimen submission. Testing for novel influenza A (H1N1) is currently prioritized for patients who are hospitalized and/or part of a community or healthcare facility outbreak.
    Nassau County Department of Health and New York State Department of Health will work closely with hospitals and providers to determine which specimens should be submitted to a public health laboratory for confirmatory testing.

Schools: To continue to protect the health of the school population, the Nassau County Department of Health (NCDOH), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the following:

• All students, faculty or staff with influenza-like illness (fever with a cough or sore throat) stay home and not attend school for at least 7 days even if symptoms resolve sooner.
• Students, faculty and staff who are still sick 7 days after they become ill should continue to stay home from school until at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved.
• Students, faculty and staff who appear to have an influenza-like illness at arrival or become ill during the school day should be isolated promptly in a room separate from other students and sent home.
• In general, school closure is not advised unless there is a magnitude of faculty or student absenteeism that interferes with the school’s ability to function.

     Nassau County Department of Health continues to monitor the H1N1 situation in New York City and other areas in the region and is in regular communication with school nurses, health care providers and hospital emergency departments. 

Shared Responsibility: Everyone should take these everyday steps to protect your health and lessen the spread of this new virus:
 
• 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 hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with a flu-like illness, stay home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.