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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2009

CONTACT
Marla Augustine, Communications and Legislative Services, (402) 471-4047, cell (402) 416-9388 or marla.augustine@nebraska.gov

Note: This is the last daily H1N1 update news release unless there is a significant development. Releases will now be issued weekly beginning this Friday. The DHHS Web site (www.dhhs.ne.gov/H1N1flu) will be updated every weekday by 10:00 a.m. You can subscribe to our H1N1 Web site and receive notice when it is updated.

Two Cases of H1N1 Flu Confirmed

Lincoln—Two new confirmed cases of novel H1N1 influenza have been reported in Nebraska from Monday’s test results, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The Nebraska Public Health Laboratory has confirmed 21 Nebraska-resident cases so far.

Today’s report:

*New probable cases:    0   

**New confirmed cases: 2   

The counties, gender and ages of the new confirmed cases are: Douglas County, 20s, male; and Dawson County, 40s, female.

Note: Information about a Stanton County case changed from female to male.

In addition to Nebraska resident cases, two non-resident cases have been identified in Nebraska—one each from California and Missouri.

Advice

For any flu-like illness:

• People who are sick should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading the
  virus.
• Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• Wash hands frequently.

If you are moderately to severely ill with a cough, sore throat, fever and body aches (and perhaps vomiting and diarrhea), call your physician.  First call the physician’s office and tell staff what symptoms you are experiencing.  The physician may want to see you separately from other patients so that you don’t expose them in the waiting room.  Your doctor can prescribe an antiviral for you, which will ease your symptoms and possibly shorten the duration of your illness. 

For more information, see the DHHS web site: www.dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Pages/flu.aspx

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*The definition of a probable case is a case that has tested positive for influenza A and is not seasonal flu.

**The definition of a confirmed case is one that the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory has determined is a case of H1N1 influenza.