Schools in Otsego and Delaware counties are linked to computers in public health departments, which health officials said is a key connection for monitoring local swine-flu cases.
Each day, school nurses can report any cases, and public health staff will be able to spot outbreaks, officials said. The computer system was set up after three Otsego County schools reported clusters of swine-flu cases last spring, officials said, and Delaware County has a similar system.
Theresa Oellrich, Otsego County communicable-disease coordinator, said the computer system puts the county ahead of other areas with the ability to monitor swine-flu cases and report outbreaks immediately.
The Otsego County Health Department flu clinics will start in September and end in October to accommodate expected clinics to administer swine-flu vaccines, said officials, who said they also have checked on the availability of larger dispensary sites, such as school gymnasiums.
Oellrich said a swine-flu vaccine may be available in late October or early November.
Also during the last two months, Oellrich said, she visited nursing and adult homes to talk with staff about symptoms of swine flu and how to respond. Further plans include visits to day-care centers and other organizations, she said.
``We've been extra busy over the summer months preparing,'' Oellrich said.
Public health officials are preparing for clinics to administer vaccines for seasonal flu and later, for the swine-flu virus, also known as the H1N1 virus.
Amanda Walsh, epidemiologist at Delaware County Public Health, said the local office awaits guidance from the state Department of Health, which is conducting surveillance and other tasks. Meanwhile, the county has been in touch with school officials about possible scenarios, she said, and discussions will continue as schools open next week.
Walsh said department staff is working hard to check that all health care workers, including nursing students, have had seasonal flu shots, as required by a state law that went into effect Aug. 13.
Swine flu was first detected in people in the United States in April, and on June 11, the World Health Organization declared a swine-flu pandemic. In New York state, 1,217 cases of swine flu have been reported, excluding New York City, the state Department of Health website said, and statistics for area counties were 21 cases in Otsego, two in Delaware, three in Chenango and four in Schoharie.
Officials said H1N1 influenza doesn't seem to be any more severe than seasonal flu and reiterated that good hygiene, including hand washing and covering coughs, are the best defense against flu and other communicable diseases.
A major difference from seasonal flu is that swine flu is affecting populations up to age 24, and local health officials said they are planning with the knowledge that the youngest population groups are most at-risk.
Signs of flu include high fever, headache, dry cough, sore throat, and muscle and body aches and pains. Stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur, but are more common among children, said Dr. Chris Kjolhede, director of Bassett's School-Based Health program.
Between 5 percent and 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu each year, Kjolhede said. He said he compiled information about seasonal and swine flu that will be sent in September to households in the districts that have the Bassett health clinics.
More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications annually, Kjolhede said, and about 36,000 die from flu-related causes. He said antibiotics don't work against influenza viruses, and drugs that work against flu viruses are prescribed and best used within the first two days of the illness. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may provide some relief, he said, but aspirin shouldn't be used. The best way to prevent the flu, he said, is by getting a flu vaccination.
In the spring, clusters of swine-flu cases broke out at Oneonta High School, Cooperstown Central School and Morris Central School.
Matthew Sheldon, superintendent of Morris Central School, said last week that custodial staff will be taking extra steps to clean spaces where students and staff congregate. The school has about 475 students, said Sheldon, who plans to enroll in a "webinar" Tuesday to learn about extra precautions. The term "webinar" is short for "Web-based seminar" and is a presentation or lecture transmitted via the Internet.
Students and staff who appear to have flu-like illness should be sent to a room separate from others until they can be sent home, according to recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC also recommends an ill student or staffer wear a surgical mask, along with those who care for them. For routine cleaning, the CDC said, school staff should clean areas that students and staff touch often with cleaners they typically use.
Patients should stay home when ill, and remain home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, the CDC said.
Alisha Barbera, spokeswoman at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta, said authorities reported a decrease in swine-flu cases in the area during the summer but project an increase later this year. Fox is working with Otsego County as surveillance efforts increase, she said.
``We're gearing up,'' Barbera said. Last week, a newly formed task force met to consider preparation issues and means of public education and notification.
Karen Huxtable, spokeswoman for Bassett Healthcare based in Cooperstown, said H1N1 during the spring wasn't as severe in most cases as seasonal flu, but it remains to be seen if it returns in a more aggressive form. Bassett will continue collaborating with county public health officials and others as well as conducting independent surveillance, Huxtable said, and will participate in state Department of Health briefings.
Cynthia Moore, public health emergency preparedness coordinator for Otsego County, said another preparatory measure is registering volunteers for the Otsego County Medical Reserve Corps. The group will include licensed medical professions and others who would help with large scale immunization clinics or as needed, she said.
