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Swine flu is 'out there', symptoms are mild
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Suffolk's health commissioner has been in constant touch with school superintendents throughout the county since the nation's first cases of swine flu were reported in Texas and California.
However, once every state had reported cases of the illness, the Centers for Disease Control changed its advisement on school closings.
"The CDC recommendations in the beginning were to close schools for 14 days, thinking that we can contain this," DOH spokeswoman Grace McGovern said. "We didn't know how the virus would behave. We can't contain it anymore … and the commissioner and, in fact, the CDC is not recommending that schools be closed and we've kind of gotten away from identifying specific areas or schools."
McGovern cautioned against panic, emphasizing that most cases are mild and quite similar to seasonal flu.
The Suffolk County Department of Health's website confirmed five case of swine flu between April 23 and 28; all the patients have made full recoveries, the spokeswoman said.
The patients included East Northport residents — a 51-year-old man who teaches at St. Francis Prep School in Queens and a 12-year-old who attends Candlewood Middle School in Dix Hills — and a 5-year-old Huntington boy who attends Huntington Jewish Center Nursery School.
Susie Meisler, director of the Huntington Jewish Center school, confirmed the case there and said, "He is perfectly fine. … He was already back in school before he even got the confirmation it was swine flu."
Other cases were identified this week, as the department continues to keep the public updated.
Doctors, school nurses and superintendents notify the health department of any new incidences.
DOH Commissioner Dr. Humayun J. Chaudhry recommends toward prevention that people cough or sneeze into tissues, then throw them away after use, or cough and sneeze into their sleeves; wash hands and maintain good hygiene."
And if you are sick, stay home from school or work," McGovern added. "That's the best advice."
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