LIHU‘E — Despite persistent rumors, the H1N1 virus has yet to infect a Kaua‘i resident but it has reached the island’s shores, according to the state Department of Health. Luke Hasty, an epidemiological specialist in the Kaua‘i District Health Office’s
LIHU‘E — Despite persistent rumors, the H1N1 virus has yet to infect a Kaua‘i resident but it has reached the island’s shores, according to the state Department of Health.
Luke Hasty, an epidemiological specialist in the Kaua‘i District Health Office’s Disease Investigation Branch, on Tuesday dismissed a gossiped case of swine flu on the Westside and a call he had received about Kaua‘i High School parents being told students tested positive for H1N1.
“Any confirmed cases would come through my office and right now we have none,” Hasty said.
He said all physicians have been advised to conduct testing if they encounter flu-like symptoms, especially if the afflicted individual has been traveling to locations known to have been impacted by the disease. He noted that the Department of Health is the entity that would be confirming any cases on the island.
However, Kaua‘i has had a recent brush with swine flu, he said.
An out-of-state visitor who had contracted the virus while in another state prior to arriving on Kaua‘i roughly two weeks ago still showed symptoms — specifically, a fever — before fully recuperating, Hasty said.
“Some people are seeking testing because they’re more concerned because of all the to-do about the swine flu,” he said. “What might be happening is that people are talking about that … and unfortunately when it passes, a couple of steps down the line, it might get taken as someone has the swine flu.”
A Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital spokesperson on Tuesday said the center has to date “admitted no one with that type of diagnosis.”
The quelled rumors came the same day that the Department of Health announced the first confirmed cases of swine flu on the Big Island. Two cases on the island of Hawai‘i were among 14 new cases that were confirmed over the long holiday weekend.
“The number of cases is not alarming since we know community transmission is taking place,” said Health Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino in a press release. “To date, this novel H1N1 virus is behaving similar to seasonal flu and individuals are recovering at home with no complications. It is important that we continue to carefully monitor the severity and spread of this flu strain.”
All of the individuals have recovered or are recovering at home with no complications, according to the release. Since May 5, a total of 58 confirmed cases in the state have been reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Of the latest 14 confirmed cases, six are adults and eight are school-aged children. The two cases that live on the island of Hawai‘i are school-aged children that are not attending school at this time. One acquired their illness while traveling in another state, the other had contact with a confirmed case, according to the release.
Of the 12 new confirmed cases on O‘ahu, two school-aged individuals acquired their illness while traveling in another state; one school-aged individual had contact with a previously confirmed case; and one adult had contact with a previously confirmed case, according to the release.
To date, the Department of Health has investigated and conducted case follow-up for over 800 individuals tested for Influenza A. The State Laboratories Division currently conducts subtype testing on approximately 60 to 80 Influenza A positive specimens each work day, and between 5 and 10 percent of specimens have been positive for novel H1N1 Influenza A of swine origin, according to the release. The remaining cases are seasonal flu.
The state has investigated and conducted case follow-up for over 800 individuals so far.
The World Health Organization says at least 46 countries have confirmed more than 12,950 swine flu cases. The Mexican death toll now stands at 83, and Canada’s is two. The U.S. has had 12 deaths, according to Associated Press reports.
Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms should call a doctor and isolate themselves from other people. Guidelines for home care for individuals with the flu are available on the DOH Web site at www.hawaii.gov/health.
• Michael Levine, assistant news editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or via e-mail at mlevine@kauaipubco.com
