<p>July 21, 2009
Dear Merchant Marine Academy Parents:
There have been a number of reported cases of H1N1 influenza at the Air
Force and Coast Guard Academies. There have also been a number of
rumors regarding the H1N1 (swine flu) here at the U.S. Merchant Marine
Academy. Without stepping outside privacy restrictions, I would like to pass
as much information as possible.
Over the past several days, we have had an increase in influenza like
illnesses (IFI) amongst our midshipmen, both plebe candidates and Indoc
staff. Closely following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Nassau
County Health Department protocols, the USMMA Department of Health
Services has positively identified 2 cases of Type A influenza as of today.
Another 17 midshipmen have presented with influenza-like symptoms as of
this today.
While these cases have not yet been identified as H1N1 type virus, Academy
and health officials are treating the cases as if they were the H1N1 virus.
All affected plebe candidates and midshipmen have been isolated from the
rest of the student population to prevent transmission of the virus.
Treatment has been coordinated with doctors from the North Shore-LIJ
Health System, the Academys health service provider. One midshipman
was briefly hospitalized and subsequently sent home to recuperate. All
midshipmen are responding very well to treatment.
I want to assure you that the Academy is doing everything possible to
minimize the impact on the Regiment, and address every midshipmans
medical concerns. We are following the recommendations established by the
CDC and the Nassau County Health Department. These include isolation and
seclusion of affected midshipmen, appropriate medical treatment, and
prophylactic measures for EMT personnel, health professionals, and other
midshipmen and staff for which such measures are indicated.
July 21, 2009
Page 2
It is important to note that this outbreak of flu is not limited to the Merchant Marine Academy. As of July 17, 2009, the CDC has identified over 40,000 probable positive cases across the United States. I urge you to visit the CDC website for the latest information on this global pandemic (CDC</a> H1N1 Flu).
Our primary concern is for the well-being of our plebe candidates and our midshipmen. We are focused on their recovery, and working to mitigate against the further spread of the illness. We have emphasized that normal flu preventive measures such as hand washing and cough etiquette should be followed. We are increasing the availability of hand sanitizer through the campus, in order to safeguard midshipmen, faculty and staff. We will disinfect the rooms occupied by affected midshipmen, and take other such measures to clean and sanitize rooms and public spaces.
Our hope is to limit the further spread of this outbreak prior to July 25th when the remainder of the Regiment returns from summer leave and classes resume.
In closing, please be assured that your childs health and well being is our top priority. Whether addressing their H1N1 concerns, or simply addressing the challenges of Indoc, our midshipmen officers, trainers, and the entire Academy staff are working together to support our plebes and midshipmen. I will keep you informed through our website and through further updates as circumstances warrant.
Respectfully,
Captain Bill Fell
Commandant</p>
<p>Please be advised that I am a health care provider, but am not in contact with the Academy. The information below is FYI and based on my extensive research and contact with the CDC and Maryland State Health Department.</p>
<p>First of all, the above letter from Captain Fell is very accurate in terms of information. The reason why I say that, is because much of what you will read in the paper and hear on television is not. There is, however, some information to add to his letter that may be helpful for you to know.</p>
<p>Initially, there is NO TEST for H1N1 influenza. When specimens are “tested”, that means that the swab specimen is placed on a petri dish and grown for three days. A microbiologist or medical technologist then looks at the specimen under a microscope to see if it looks like H1N1. </p>
<p>The above specimen evaluation is only done for some of the cases. In Maryland, health care workers’ and hospitalized patients’ swabs are being evaluated. Students, children, and other lay persons are not having their specimens evaluated. Each state gets to determine how they handle this event.</p>
<p>So you may ask, how are they determining who is infected with this flu? Good question. Cases of H1N1 are being determined by clinical presentation only. That means, if you have a fever > 100 degrees F combined with a respiratory illness (coughing, sore throat, congestion, body aches and fatigue) you are considered contagious and must be isolated for 7 days (or 24 hours after your symptoms subside, whichever is longer) or up to 10 days for children. They are assuming you have H1N1 because presently, there is no other circulating influenza in the US.</p>
<p>The tests done for Influenza A in the doctor’s offices are frequently done. Unfortunately, in adults, they have up to a 50% false negative rate. That makes the information that they provide not very useful.</p>
<p>The big thing to remember here is that the population most greatly affected by this virus is children and young adults aged 5-24, with the average age being 16. This virus does not seem to affect the very young or old. </p>
<p>The H1N1 influenza virus has caused the World Health Organization to raise the pandemic level to 6, the highest level, but this is for how it has spread, NOT because it is severe disease at this time. Right now, the course of the illness seems to be very similar to seasonal flu. There is NO indication that the virus has mutated and become more virulent. </p>
<p>Things to take away from this letter:</p>
<p>If you are sick, get immediate medical attention–antiviral medication can be helpful in decreasing the symptoms and needs to be started within the first 48 hours, or it is not effective.</p>
<p>Sick means fever of > 100 and a respiratory illness–you absolutely always will have a fever with the flu. </p>
<p>If you are sick, isolate yourself.</p>
<p>You are still shedding virus even if you feel better and 7 days have not passed. </p>
<p>Wash your hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing.</p>
<p>My son is a Senior Drill Instructor this year for indoc. From what he tells me, they are handling this situation the way it should be handled. As I said, I have no direct contact with Academy health care personnel, just information through my son, but it sounds good to me. If you have any questions, you can PM me. Thanks.</p>
<p>Thanks for a great post, KathyNP. Very practical perspective. I’m copying and sending it to my Mid right away. (highlighting the hand washing part) :)</p>