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First Cases of Swine Flu in Franklin County
One suspected case of H1N1 influenza (swine flu) has been confirmed in Franklin County and a second suspected case has appeared.
Dr. Eugene Charbonneau, Medical Director of the county health department announced that one confirmed case of H1N1 and a second possible case have been identified at the Apalachicola Bay Charter School.
Both cases appeared in students.
Charbonneau said the first child, an eight year old, has completely recovered. The announcement came after the results of diagnostic tests proved positive.
The second suspected case showed few symptoms other than a high temperature. The sick child tested positive for Influenza A, which Charbonneau said, means there is a 70 percent chance that this is also a case of H1N1.
"We knew it was out there," he said. "Now that we have proof, nothing changes. We want to urge people to take the usual precautions. Wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and please keep your child home from school if he or she is sick."
Charbonneau said the siblings of infected children will be asked to stay home from school for five days because of close contact with a contagious individual.
He said that the health department expects to have vaccine for H1N1 available in early October ahead of the projected Oct. 15 timeline.
"How people will react to the H1N1 virus depends on how active your immune system is to this virus. There is more concern for someone with a respiratory problem like asthma or for a person who is obese or pregnant," he said.
"They are having really good success with trials and it is now being tested on pregnant women in the second and third trimester," he added.
If you have questions about H1N1 you can call the Florida Flu Information Line at (877) 352-3581.
The Franklin County Health Department and Franklin County Schools Wellness Committee will present a program on H1N1 at 7 p.m. on September 22 in the cafetorium of the Franklin County Consolidated School.
Information on H1N1 is also posted online at www.cdc.gov.
