July 17, 2009

State Public Health Department Prepares for Fall Flu Season as H1N1 Influenza Continues to Circulate

3,357 confirmed and probable H1N1 influenza cases, 15 deaths in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold and other public health and emergency preparedness officials began planning at the 2009 Illinois Public Health and Emergency Preparedness Summit this week for the upcoming flu season as H1N1 flu continues to circulate.

“This week, public health and emergency preparedness officials from all over the world gathered together for the 2009 Illinois Public Health Emergency Preparedness Summit to share ideas and learn about responding to a public health emergency, such as the H1N1 flu pandemic,” said Dr. Arnold. “It is possible the impact of H1N1 may worsen in the fall during the regular flu season. The Illinois Department of Public Health will continue to prepare for the possibility of a more severe outbreak of H1N1 flu in the fall and is currently updating the state’s pandemic preparedness plans using lessons learned from this spring.’

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting 3,357 confirmed and probable cases of H1N1 influenza in Illinois, including 15 deaths.

County breakdown of Illinois H1N1 influenza related deaths:

• 6 – Chicago
• 6 – Suburban Cook County
• 1 – Kane County
• 1 – Lake County
• 1 – LaSalle County

For confidentiality reasons and out of respect for the families, the Illinois Department of Public Health is not releasing any additional information about the 15 deaths.

To stay healthy, follow the three C’s:

Clean – properly wash your hands frequently
Cover – cover your cough and sneeze
Contain – contain your germs by staying home if you are sick

The Department will remain consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting protocols and will update H1N1 influenza cases and deaths on its Web site, www.idph.state.il.us, once a week on Fridays. Local health departments will have the most updated information. If there is a discrepancy between the state numbers and local health department number, data from the local health departments should be used as the most accurate number. A breakdown of H1N1 influenza cases in Illinois by county is also on the IDPH Web site.

For additional information about H1N1 flu and the upcoming flu season log onto www.flu.gov.