Two local swine-flu tests still pending

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May 1, 2009

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG The Press Republican Fri May 14, 2010, 07:41 PM EDT

PLATTSBURGH — The Clinton County Health Department said one suspected case of swine flu has tested negative for the potentially deadly virus.

A second case has been deemed not suspicious after all, and a third case is still awaiting test results.

Health officials said Friday that the three individuals, who were not hospitalized, are recovering from mild to moderate influenza symptoms.

Only two cases were tested, for precautionary purposes, according to a Health Department release.

The third failed to meet testing requirements.

Officials have not released the age of the three patients or what prompted their cases for possible testing.

Regional health officials have not identified any confirmed cases of the new virus strain in the North Country.

As of Friday, there were no new local cases meeting the stringent Centers for Disease Control criteria for testing.

FRANKLIN COUNTY
One person in Franklin County is being tested for possible swine flu, according to Lorraine Kourofsky, prevention supervisor for Franklin County Public Health.

Kourofsky emphasized the case has not been confirmed.

She said the Level 5 pandemic alert this week has triggered three phone conferences with New York's emergency preparedness office. She said ongoing surveillance screens for people who are "really sick and have recently traveled to an area with swine flu."

ESSEX COUNTY
Essex County Health Department Director Kathy Abernethy said one case there had been tested but came back negative.

As of midday Friday, no new suspected cases were identified in that county.

ON WATCH
The Clinton County Health Department said officials "were continuing active surveillance and ongoing communication with health-care providers."

Spokeswoman Laurie Williams said a handful of laboratories in New York are able to perform the initial tests on suspected cases and that the process usually takes about seven to 12 hours to complete.

She was unsure Friday afternoon when the remaining Clinton County case will be tested.

The swine-flu scare has prompted area child-care clinics to strictly enforce standard health practices.

Health officials are reminding parents to keep children home if they or family members experience flu symptoms.

Symptoms include fever, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, runny nose or sore throat.

BE SAFE
Officials are reminding residents to take special precautions to prevent the spread of any respiratory disease by:

â Washing hands regularly.

â Using alcohol-based cleaners when soap and water is unavailable.

â Staying home from work or school if sick.

â Using tissues when coughing or sneezing.

â Keeping hands away from your face and avoiding touching the eyes, nose or mouth.

For more information on swine flu, contact your local Health Department: Clinton County, 565-4840; Essex County, 873-3500; and Franklin County, 481-1709.

— Staff Writer Kim Smith Dedam contributed to this report