Iowa Has Confirmed H1N1 Case

Iowa now has its first confirmed case of H1N1. But apparently, the second case thought to be H1N1 wasn't after all. However, the state is still awaiting results on seven other people . This release just came from Governor Culver's office.

GOVERNOR CULVER ANNOUNCES FIRST CONFIRMED H1N1 FLU CASE IN IOWA

Additional probable cases reported; Governor declares public health disaster

DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver has declared a public health emergency in Iowa after the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed the first case of H1N1 influenza in Iowa. The results of a second probable case reported on Wednesday have come back negative.

The Iowa Department of Public Health reports that a total of seven additional probable cases in the state are undergoing confirmatory testing.

“As I’ve have said all along, it was only a matter of time before Iowa saw its first case of this flu, and today the CDC has confirmed that an individual in eastern Iowa does in fact have an H1N1 infection,” said Governor Culver. “On the state level, we are taking every precaution to help prevent the spread of this disease. We continue to monitor the situation, both in Iowa and around the country. As Governor, I will continue to do everything I can to ensure that Iowans stay healthy and safe.”

The first confirmed case involves a southeast Iowa adult female who became ill last week after returning from Mexico. She traveled through Johnson, Des Moines and Muscatine counties.

Of the current probable H1N1 flu cases, six are located in Marshall County (this includes the one new probable case reported on Friday) and one in Tama County.

The Governor’s public health disaster declaration gives the state additional flexibility that may be needed to carry out the work of protecting the health of Iowans by allowing for several provisions, including:

· The purchase, storage and distribution of additional antivirals and other medical supplies.

· The deployment of public health response teams to supplement and support overburdened local medical and public health personnel, hospitals and resources.

· The adoption of reasonable measures, as necessary, to prevent the transmission of infectious disease and to ensure that all identified cases are properly controlled and treated.

· Possible isolation of individuals or groups of individuals if necessary.

In addition to signing a public health disaster declaration, Governor Culver and the Iowa Department of Public Health have taken a number of actions in response to the H1N1 flu situation:

· IDPH’s emergency coordination center in the Lucas Building has been activated.
· IDPH is sharing information regularly with local public health officials, health care providers, other state agencies, federal agencies and private partners.

· IDPH has received a shipment of federal assets, which include anti-viral medications and personal protective equipment.

· The Iowa Department of Public Safety is coordinating with IDPH to ensure the safe storage and transportation of the state’s antiviral supply.