H1N1 Cases Rising in County

Gulf County is experiencing a sharp upswing in the number of H1N1

influenza cases in county schools, Doug Kent, Gulf County Health

Department administrator, said today. He reported that three confirmed

cases and five other influenza-like illnesses (ILI) had been diagnosed

at Wewahitchka Middle School since Monday of this week, bringing the

total to 10 at the school.

Port St. Joe Middle School reported today that a faculty member had been

confirmed with H1N1 and was being treated with Tamilu. Four children

were sent home from Port St. Joe Elementary School today with flu-like

illnesses and a parent voluntarily removed her two children from the

school because the siblings exhibited ILI.

Kent said although the community is experiencing increases numbers of

H1N1 cases, it was "to be expected. We just need to continue the

prevention efforts that we have in place." Most area physicians have

stopped testing for H1N1 when a suspected case comes into the office and

have started treating people with flu-like illnesses, Kent added.

Kent advised that people who think they might have influenza should

immediately contact their personal health care providers.