The Cochise County Health Department is announcing the second confirmed case of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus ("swine flu") in Cochise County and has begun the customary disease investigation procedures.  The case is from the Sierra Vista area and involves an adult female.  The patient has recovered from the illness.

As with other parts of Arizona, and across the country, it is very likely that the virus continues to circulate in our communities.  National, state, and local public health authorities emphasize that this novel virus appears to be no more dangerous than the seasonal influenza.  Testing for the virus is now only recommended for hospitalized patients. 

Similar to many other viruses in nature, the novel H1N1 virus is likely to be with us into the foreseeable future.  Fortunately, in its present form, it does not appear to be any more dangerous than the seasonal influenza virus that circulates every autumn and winter.  The US National Centers for Disease Control ( HYPERLINK "http://www.cdc.gov" www.cdc.gov) is now working on a vaccine to protect against the disease.  However, it is unlikely that the vaccine will be ready for general distribution before the fall. 

For this reason, the US Department of Education and the US Department of Health and Human Services are urging schools to prepare for the potential for novel H1N1 to further impact schools, families, and communities in the fall. Schools are urged to review and update emergency management plans and to pursue local interagency collaboration, particularly with local health officials. The Health Department will be offering assistance to any Cochise County schools that desire advice on making the necessary preparations for the next school year.

Additionally, today the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to   Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway.  WHO’s decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus, since there are now ongoing community-level outbreaks in multiple parts of world (over 70 countries).

The CDC is not advising that schools or businesses close if they have a suspected or actual case of the flu associated with their organization.  However, decisions for closures or dismissals remain at the discretion of the affected organization and local public health authorities.

The Cochise County Health Department remains in frequent contact with local hospitals, clinics and laboratories to assist with recommended disease surveillance and response activities.  The Health Department is also in close touch with doctors and Ministry of Health professionals in Sonora, Mexico as part of its routine disease surveillance activities.