State of New York | Executive Chamber
David A. Paterson | Governor

For Immediate Release: November 6, 2009
Contact: Marissa Shorenstein | marissa.shorenstein@chamber.state.ny.us | 518.474.8418 | 212.681.4640

GOVERNOR PATERSON URGES NEW YORKERS TO TAKE PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO REDUCE SPREAD OF H1N1 FLU IN NEW YORK STATE
As cases of H1N1 flu increase in New York State, Governor David A. Paterson today urged New Yorkers to stay home if sick, avoid going to a hospital emergency room unless flu symptoms are severe and follow additional preventive measures to limit the spread of H1N1 influenza to others.

“H1N1 flu activity is widespread across the State and, not surprisingly, the number of positive flu tests has tripled within a week’s time,” Governor Paterson said. “It’s critical that New Yorkers take preventive measures to reduce the risk of contracting H1N1 flu and spreading it to others. As we wait for larger vaccine shipments to arrive in New York, I urge New Yorkers to use good judgment and stay home if they are sick and only go to a hospital emergency department if they or a family member experiences severe flu symptoms.”

State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., said: “The majority of people with H1N1 flu will experience mild to moderate symptoms and will recover at home without medical treatment. We must reserve emergency department visits for those who experience severe symptoms or develop complications from the flu and need immediate medical care.”

The State Department of Health (DOH) reports that the dominant Type Flu A strain currently circulating in the State is H1N1 flu. DOH reported more than 500 positive laboratory reports for Flu Type A statewide during the week of October 10 through 17, but that number jumped to nearly 2,000 the following week – a 300 percent increase in one week. To date, the greatest activity of H1N1 flu is being reported in the Northeastern, Western and Capital District areas of the State.

Dr. Daines added: “While flu test reports are up, the number of patients hospitalized remains low when compared to previous influenza seasons. This means that while more testing is occurring, and there are many people currently ill with flu, most cases continue to be mild.”

Although federal and state health officials expect an increase in H1N1 cases as the influenza season progresses, this increase comes at a time when New York’s statewide vaccination campaign has slowed due to a national shortage of H1N1 vaccine caused by manufacturing delays. Governor Paterson stressed that as New York waits for larger H1N1 vaccine shipments, practicing preventive measures is crucial to reducing the spread of the H1N1 virus. These preventive measures include:

• Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the crook of your elbow, not your hands. Throwing the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Washing your hands often with soap and water. Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you aren’t near a sink.
• Keeping your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth. Flu spreads that way.
• Avoiding close contact with sick people.
• Staying home when you are sick and not returning to school or work until you have been fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours.

“I ask New Yorkers to be patient as we work to implement our statewide vaccination campaign,” Governor Paterson said. “The State Health Department is doing everything it can to get H1N1 vaccine out to health care providers as soon as it arrives in the State. We are hopeful that in the near future vaccine production will pick up and New York, along with other states across the country, will start to receive larger shipments of the vaccine. Until then, we must be patient and do our best to prevent the spread of the virus within our communities.”

To date, DOH has ordered approximately 1 million doses of H1N1 vaccine – the maximum made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for areas outside of New York City. Most of these doses have been distributed by CDC to health care providers that registered with DOH and placed orders for the vaccine. DOH has cumulatively received over 6 million vaccine orders from registered providers. However, CDC’s current maximum vaccine allotment for New York State allows only one vaccine dose to be shipped for every six vaccine orders placed. As of November 3, about 5,000 health care providers outside of New York City have registered with DOH and more providers are registering daily.

Commissioner Daines said: “New Yorkers should check with their local health care provider or county health department to see when H1N1 vaccine will become available to them. As we move further into November and as more vaccine becomes available, they will schedule vaccination appointments and clinics accordingly.”

Last week, Governor Paterson issued Executive Order 29 declaring a State Disaster Emergency to help local governments prepare to operate vaccination clinics statewide when larger quantities of the H1N1 vaccine arrive in New York. This Executive Order provides additional personnel and flexibility to local governments. It permits physician and special assistants, pharmacists, dentists, certain dental hygienists, midwives and emergency personnel to administer vaccinations after they receive training.

In addition, Governor Paterson’s Executive Order authorizes school-based health centers to vaccinate adults and children, and allows hospitals to operate part-time immunization clinics on school campuses.

More information about seasonal and H1N1 flu, including educational resources and direct links to CDC’s website, is available on DOH’s website at www.nyhealth.gov.
###

Additional news available at www.ny.gov/governor/press
High resolution images available at www.ny.gov/governor/mediaimages | password: paterson
New York State | Executive Chamber | press.office@chamber.state.ny.us | 212.681.4640 | 518.474.8418