BALTIMORE, MD
(May 8, 2009) – Under the direction
of Governor Martin O’Malley, the
flu-related health emergency status of
the Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene’s (DHMH) will soon transition
from an around-the-clock Emergency
Operations Center activation to an
extended and expanded flu monitoring and
surveillance system.
“Our primary concern remains the safety
and public health of Maryland’s
families, and we will continue to do all
that we can to monitor H1N1 on their
behalf,” said Governor Martin O’Malley.
“The H1N1 flu virus still poses a threat
for the foreseeable future and so we
have expanded and extended Maryland’s
unique monitoring systems for the rest
of 2009 and as long as necessary to
protect our citizens.”
In addition to
expanding the usual flu monitoring
systems, the DHMH Division of
Communicable Disease Surveillance is
asking the members of the public to
become “flu fighters” as part of its
one-of-a-kind Resident Influenza
Tracking Survey system. Maryland is the
only state in the country to have such a
program that invites any resident to
help the state monitor flu-like illness
on a weekly basis. People can sign-up to
become a “flu-watcher” at
www.marylandfluwatch.org.
“We have in place an on-line tool so
that anyone in Maryland can become a flu
fighter,” said DHMH Secretary John M.
Colmers. “Their participation will
provide DHMH with yet another set of
eyes to help detect emerging trends in
the community.”
The surveillance
effort also includes expansion of the
state’s Sentinel Provider Reporting
System where hospitals, doctors, nurses
and other health care workers report
suspected cases of flu to local health
departments.
State health
officials say Maryland is not done with
the H1N1 flu. Numbers of infections may
continue to rise, however they expect a
slowdown as the summer approaches.
“This new flu virus is here among us.
Since it is so new, it is difficult to
predict the number or nature of cases we
may see over the next few months," said
Frances Phillips, DHMH deputy secretary
for Public Health Services. “Protecting
the public is paramount and, and while
current indications are that the
disease is similar in severity to
seasonal flu, we are determined to stay
on top of this to detect any threat as
it emerges.”
DHMH officials
remind Maryland residents that they
should continue to practice common sense
hygiene. Individuals should frequently
wash their hands and cover their mouths
and noses when coughing and sneezing.
And, it is never
too early to take precautions in the
event the virus returns in the coming
months. To plan for a pandemic, visit
www.pandemicflu.gov to review “A
Guide for Individuals and Families.”
This document provides a list of tips to
limit the spread of germs, prevent
infection, and recommends non-perishable
food and medical, health and emergency
supplies.
Department
officials today report a total of 23
confirmed cases of H1N1 flu. The most
recent case is in an adult from Cecil
County. This brings to seven the total
number of Maryland jurisdictions with
confirmed cases. The other counties are
Anne Arundel (4), Baltimore (3), Charles
(1), Harford (1), Montgomery (4), and
Prince George’s (9).
Information
about flu remains available at
http://dhmh.md.gov/swineflu and
www.cdc.gov
CASE UPDATE -
JURISDICTIONAL SUMMARY
23 Confirmed
2 Not Confirmed
by CDC Test*
2 Probable,
pending CDC confirmatory testing**
27 total
Counties
|
Confirmed Youth |
Confirmed Adult |
Total
Confirmed |
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anne Arundel
|
3 |
1 |
4 |
1 Youth*
1 Adult** |
|
Baltimore Co.
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
1 Adult* |
|
Cecil
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
Charles
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
Harford
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
Montgomery
|
2 |
2 |
4 |
1 Adult** |
|
Prince George’s
|
7 |
2 |
9 |
|
|
TOTALS
|
14 |
9 |
23 |
4 (Other) |
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