Cambridge health officials confirmed two new cases of swine flu in the city: one student at King Open School and an adult with children enrolled in a Cambridge daycare center. In addition, three students and a staff member at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School have been out sick with influenza-like illness.
The children of the adult, who were also ill with flu-like symptoms, may have attended the care center while infectious. On May 14, families and staff were notified that anyone associated with the center, the name of which was not released, with flu-like symptoms should home for at least seven days to help avoid transmission.
The second new case in Cambridge is a student at the King Open elementary school who was in school briefly while infectious. The student is currently recovering at home, health officials said in a press release.
The child’s condition, age, grade and name were not released, but parents were told to maintain proper hygiene among their children in a letter sent to parents.
No word if the school will open on Monday. School spokesman Justin Martin did not immediately return a call and e-mail for comment.
“This novel flu virus is in our community, and we are preparing to see more cases in Cambridge,” said Claude-Alix Jacob, the city’s chief public health officer and director of the public health department, in a statement.
Jacob added that the health department’s main focus right now is protecting Cambridge residents and workers who may be at risk for serious complications from the flu, given that a vaccine is not available. High risk groups include young children, seniors, people with chronic illnesses, and pregnant women.
“It is vitally important for people with flu-like symptoms—such as a fever, cough, or sore throat—to stay home from school or work for at least seven days, not just until they feel better,” said Jacob.
In addition to the new confirmed cases, three students and a staff member at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School have been out sick with influenza-like illness. These individuals, who were told to stay home for at least seven days, will not be tested for the H1N1 virus because they are not considered at high risk for serious complications from the flu.
On May 15, the Cambridge Public Schools sent a letter to all families with children in the city’s public school system notifying them about the King Open student and the unconfirmed cluster at the high school.
The original confirmed case in a Cambridge resident was a 26-year-old individual who was linked to the Harvard Dental School H1N1 cluster. This person has since fully recovered and is no longer infectious.
As of May 15, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has confirmed 142 cases of swine flu — identified as H1N1 — statewide. All infected people are expected to fully recover; two of the newly confirmed cases were hospitalized but have since been discharged. More than 50 percent of the Massachusetts confirmed cases have been under age 18.
Because there is no vaccine for swine flu, public health officials remind all Massachusetts residents to continue taking simple steps to keep themselves and others healthy.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cover your cough with a tissue or cough into your inner elbow and not into your hands.
- If your child is sick, keep them him or her out of school for at least seven days, even if symptoms go away sooner. If you are sick, stay home from work.
For more information on H1N1 flu, check www.mass.gov/dph/swineflu.
