DELHI _ A second case of swine flu has been identified in Delaware County after a camp counselor tested positive for the H1N1 virus.
The Delaware County Public Health Department was notified by the state DOH on Saturday, according to a media release.
Delaware County Board of Supervisors Chairman James Eisel said he received a copy of the report but couldn't remember which camp was involved. The age, gender and hometown of the counselor were not released by the county agency.
Bonnie Hamilton, county Public Health director, said in the release that campers and their parents were notified. The camp is working with its medical director as well as state and local health officials to reduce the virus' transmission.
Children's camps in Delaware County operate under a permit issued by the state Health Department's Oneonta District Office. All camps have received guidance documents for responding to H1N1.
"To help minimize the spread of the illness, people who are sick with flu-like symptoms should not go to work and other public places including camps, day care and swimming lessons," Hamilton said in the release.
Delaware County Public Health said it continues to work with health care providers, summer camps and the community to monitor the situation and respond.
To the north, Otsego County has had at least 20 confirmed cases, according to the state Health Department. Chenango County has had three. Schoharie County, free of flu as recently as last week, has had four cases, the state Health Department said Tuesday.
The county continues to recommend residents to take the following precautions to prevent spreading germs that cause illness:
ä Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
ä Throw the tissue into the trash after you use it.
ä Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
ä Avoid close contact with sick people.
ä Stay home if you are sick with swine flu for seven days after your symptoms begin, or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
ä Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are spread this way. If you become ill with flu-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, contact your health provider.
