H1N1 flu: 258 cases in Illinois

PRINCETON — The number of confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu, commonly called swine flu, continues to rise in Illinois and across the United States. Local, state and national health officials are monitoring the situation closely, according to Pat Lebahn, communicable disease coordinator for the Bureau/Putnam Health Department.

As of early Friday morning, 258 cases of H1N1 flu were confirmed in Illinois, with the majority of those located in Chicago and Cook County. The closest county to Bureau County with a confirmed case has been Knox County, down in the Galesburg area, Lebahn said.

As far as the recent significant increase in Illinois cases, Lebahn said that rise is probably due to the fact that Illinois is now one of two states equipped to process its own H1N1 tests. Prior to that capability, Illinois had to send its tests to the Center for Disease Control for processing. There is no doubt a backlog of tests on the national level, Lebahn said.

At this point, health officials are not sure how long the H1N1 flu concern will last, Lebahn said. That’s one of the issues with this flu; there are several unknowns. The CDC is watching the southern hemisphere which is entering its flu season to monitor how long swine flu lasts, its severity, and how long it takes to weaken in those areas, Lebahn said.

As far as Bureau County residents, Lebahn said the safety precautions against H1N1 flu, or any other type of flu, are still the same common sense, good hygiene practices she always recommends. People need to wash their hands frequently, especially before eating. Cover mouths and noses when sneezing. Throw away used tissues. Know the symptoms of the H1N1 flu, which may include, in part, nasal congestion, a sore throat, lack of appetite, nausea, diarrhea and a fever higher than 100 degrees. If the fever is not relieved by over-the-counter medicine, persons should contact their doctor.

“I want to stress that people with any type of flu should stay and fully recuperate before returning to school or work or even going to the store,” Lebahn said. “We are too often guilty of going out when we should be staying home.”