Staff Reports
The state Department of Health has confirmed 18 cases of Novel H1N1 Influenza A in Niagara County, the county’s Health Department announced Monday.
The number of laboratory-confirmed cases represents only a small fraction of actual cases in the area, warned Daniel Stapleton, public health director.
The majority of Niagara County cases are occurring in school-aged children, Stapleton said. A pre-schooler recovered at home after being treated at a local hospital.
Because H1N1 is now widespread in the state, the Center for Disease Control and state Health Department have releases new recommendations for testing, treatment and reporting. Mild cases of flu-like symptoms, except in individuals with underlying medical conditions or those residing in group homes, are discouraged from being tested.
H1N1 infections are expected to continue throughout the summer, Stapleton said. For more information, visit www.health.state.ny.us or call 1-800-808-1987.
