H1N1 appearing throughout Mount Pleasant

Type A influenza confirmations show a presence of H1N1 in Mount Pleasant, according to mid-Michigan health officials.

A positive Type A flu test confirms a patient has one of three flu strains: seasonal H1N1 or H3N2, which are common flus, or novel H1N1, the preferred name for swine flu, said Dr. Robert Graham, medical director at Central Michigan District Health Department.

“What’s going around is the novel H1N1 and that’s given us plenty of work to do. We haven’t seen any of the seasonal H1N1 and H3N2 this fall,” Graham said. “In September, 100 percent of the isolates in Michigan were the H1N1 novel influenza.”

The seasonal H1N1 generally affects people younger than 2 years old and older than 50. The novel H1N1 affects people younger than 24 years old, or pregnant.

“It’s a mutation. Mainly the difference is in who it affects,” Graham said.

‘98 to 99 percent sure’

In spite of these results, the hospital is not routinely testing people for novel H1N1 unless they are seriously ill and have been hospitalized, Graham said.

There have been about 20 cases each week of influenza-type illnesses, said University Heath Services Director Tom Trionfi. It is not significantly more than this time last year, he said.

Director of public relations Steve Smith said there have been a number of students, faculty and staff tested for flu-like symptoms.

The university has a track of influenza Type A cases dating back to September, Smith said.

“I’m not aware of any CMU students that have (H1N1),” Graham said. “I haven’t seen any confirmed cases of H1N1 in CMU students since Sept. 1.”

Students have been confirmed with Type A flu, however, Trionfi said. But Trionfi said the Type A is more than likely novel H1N1.

“We can only be 98 to 99 percent sure this is (novel) H1N1,” Trionfi said. “(It’s a) good likelihood, but not 100 percent, that students who have tested positive for Type A have (novel) H1N1.”

Graham said he has not seen an upswing in flu cases yet this year, but the Health Department plans to be prepared in the event of one.

“Of the influenza that’s being confirmed, most are the H1N1 novel,” Graham said.

No H1N1 vaccines right now

A CMU student was removed from Emmons Hall by paramedics Wednesday night, but Smith said it was a preventative measure. The female student was taken to Central Michigan Community Hospital, he said.

The student had a high fever and was vomiting, said CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley. Based on that information, officers will wear face masks and gloves just as a precaution, he said.

“We are not suspecting the H1N1 flu at this time,” Smith said. “We are aware of a number of flu-like illnesses affecting students, faculty and staff on campus.”

University Health Services, 200 Foust Hall, does not have H1N1 vaccines available, according to an e-mail sent out by University Communications. The e-mail stated students will be informed when more vaccines arrive.
Central Michigan Community Hospital, 1221 South Drive, does not have vaccines available until Oct. 26, said Nurse Supervisor Jean Spencer.

The Central Michigan District Health Department, 2012 E. Preston Ave., only offers vaccines available to at-risk individuals. High-risk people include health care workers, first responders, people 6 months to 24 years old and also those who are 25 and older and have chronic health issues, according to a previous story in Central Michigan Life.

-Staff Reporter Lonnie Allen contributed to this report.