As widely reported by the press, the CDC has confirmed two cases of swine flu in Lowell. The State notified the Lowell Public Health Department this morning after notifying the associated press. The two Lowell students are doing well as is the rest of their family. The children became ill after returning from a trip to Mexico during the April vacation week and did not return to school following vacation. They remain at home recuperating.
The Lowell Department of Public Health is working closely with the State, the local hospitals, public safety and emergency management officials to monitor the situation. City administration met with staff from the health, school, fire, police departments, hospitals, Trinity EMS, and Saints EMS to review existing emergency management procedures. A follow up meeting is set for tomorrow which will also include staff from Middlesex Community College and the University. The staff at the DPH continue to practice surveillance as they have since the suspicion of swine flu was first identified. At todays meeting school nurses report that there has been no observable uptick in reports of flu-like symptoms in the schools in the past week. It must also be mentioned that the identities of the children are not public information as they are protected under the HIPPA provisions and will not be released.
The most important advice from health officials is to continue to practice good common-sense hygiene habits:
- wash hands frequently with soap and water, alcohol hand sanitizers work well too
- practice good cough/sneeze etiquette by sneezing or coughing into crook of the elbow instead of the hand
- if sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others
A media advisory is scheduled for Thursday, April 30th at 10:30 am on the steps of City Hall.
More information can be found in this flu fact sheet provided by the Lowell Department of Public Health or in the press release from the Governor’s Office.
Did the State really notify the press first? That’s ridiculous. The people who need the information the most, Lowell DPH not the media, should be first one on the notification list.
Also, the media has been reporting that countries are banning imports of pork, that countries are killing pigs, and other actions to prevent the spread of swine flu. Swine flu is an airborne virus. You can’t get it by eating pork or other meats that come from pigs. A little common sense can go a long way.