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Media
Contacts: |
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For Immediate
Release |
Office of Communications
David Paulson
Karen Black
Office: 410-767-6490
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- Baltimore, MD
(May 4, 2009) – Confirmation was
received today from the federal
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) that four Maryland
residents have tested positive for
the H1N1 influenza virus, the
Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene (DHMH) has announced.
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- The four
confirmed cases include a student
from the Milford Mill Academy in
Baltimore County, two adults from
Baltimore County and a pre-school
age child from Anne Arundel County.
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- Department
officials have also announced that
Maryland has more than a sufficient
stockpile of anti-viral medication
in Maryland and from the federal
government to protect the
population.
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"As of today, we have
1.2 million antiviral courses of
treatment on hand or available,”
said DHMH Secretary John M. Colmers.
“Maryland has sufficient supply to
protect and treat its population."
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- The confirmation
of these four cases does not change
the previously-announced closings of
the five area schools. Those
schools are:
- Folger McKinsey
Elementary School in Anne Arundel
County
- Milford Mill
Academy in Baltimore County
- Rockville High
School in Montgomery County
- Montpelier
Elementary School in Prince George’s
County
- University Park
Elementary in Prince George’s County
- Maryland health
officials continue to stress that
state residents should practice
common sense basic hygiene practices
to help avoid infection with this
influenza.
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- “Everyone should
thoroughly and frequently wash their
hands,” said Fran Phillips, DHMH
deputy secretary for Public Health
Services. “People should also cover
their mouths or noses when coughing
or sneezing, and should minimize
contact with large crowds.”
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- State officials
also recommended for people who feel
ill to contact their primary care
provider and please avoid going to
hospital Emergency Rooms unless
there is no other alternative.
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- There are
multiple sources of information for
those who have questions about this
outbreak.
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A toll-free H1N1
information line has been activated
to answer questions residents may
have about the outbreak; that number
is 1-877-MDFLU4U (633-5848).
The service will operate from 9 a.m.
to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and
Sundays.
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DHMH will accept flu
questions by e-mail at
swineflu@dhmh.state.md.us.
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- For physicians
with questions and concerns, e-mail
DHMH at
swinefludrs@dhmh.state.md.us or
consult physician guidelines on
www.maryland.gov.
DHMH staff is monitoring the web
site and providing responses as
quickly as possible
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“Probable” H1N1 Flu Cases by
Jurisdiction
- Anne
Arundel County – 3
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Charles County – 1
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Harford County – 1
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Montgomery County - 2
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Prince George's County – 2
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Tips to help avoid
infection:
- Wash your hands
often, especially after coughing,
sneezing, and wiping or blowing the
nose.
- Cover your mouth
when coughing or sneezing.
- Use paper tissues
when wiping or blowing your nose;
throw tissues away after use.
- Stay away from
crowded living and sleeping spaces,
if possible.
- If you have flu
symptoms, stay home and avoid
contact with other people to protect
them from catching your illness.
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Copyright © 2002 Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH)
Updated 05/04/2009
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