::Suffolk County Medical Society/Suffolk Academy of Medicine::

Novel H1N1 Influenza A Virus Update – Day 71

Monday, June 29, 2009, 4:30 p.m.

Humayun J. Chaudhry, D.O., M.S.

Commissioner, Suffolk County Department of Health Services

1. We are saddened to report the third confirmed case of a death in Suffolk County associated with the Novel H1N1 Influenza A Virus. A man between the ages of 65 and 75 from the Town of Babylon who had a serious medical condition was admitted to a hospital earlier this month with fever, sweats and weight loss. He had multiple underlying medical conditions and was confirmed positive for the Novel H1N1 Influenza A Virus on June 4 by the New York State Department of Health. He died today.

2. There are now 117 confirmed cases of the Novel H1N1 Influenza A virus in Suffolk County since April 26, 2009 and nearly all have been mild and have either fully recovered or are recovering. Of the two other deaths in Suffolk County associated with the H1N1 virus, both also had underlying medical problems. Geographically, the virus is widespread throughout Western Suffolk County and there have been three confirmed cases thus far in Eastern Suffolk County, one each in Riverhead, Hampton Bays and East Hampton. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that 90% of the flu-like illnesses currently being seen in the United States are associated with the novel H1N1 virus. Fortunately, those who get the virus at present appear to have mild illness, certainly as compared with seasonal influenza, but more serious disease and even death can occur if there are underlying conditions.

3 As a reminder of previous guidance, individuals who have flu-like illness should stay home for 7 days after symptoms have started or at least 24 hours after symptoms resolve, whichever is longer, seeking medical care if symptoms are severe or if there are underlying medical conditions, including such conditions as obesity or pregnancy. Washing hands often with soap and water (or hand sanitizers), and using appropriate cough and sneeze etiquette, is highly recommended and advisable.

4. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Friday, June 26, 2009 that the novel H1N1 influenza A virus “is not going away” and that Australia, Chile, and Argentina (countries of the Southern Hemisphere) are now reporting “significant numbers of cases” at the start of their flu season. The CDC further estimates that more than 1 million people in the United States have probably been infected with the virus and that the New England and New York/New Jersey regions continue to experience higher-than-usual levels of health visits for influenza-like illness. Although one million seems like a high number, between 15 million and 60 million Americans are infected by the influenza virus during a normal flu season. The CDC said a dozen states report widespread influenza activity: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah and Virginia. The average age of H1N1 Influenza A victims in the United States is 12, the average age of hospitalized patients is 20, and the average age of those who have died is 37. The median age of H1N1 Influenza A confirmed cases in Suffolk County is 12.

5. The CDC reported that as of June 26, 2009, the number of confirmed novel H1N1 Influenza A cases in the United States has risen to at least 27,717 in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, with 4,273 in Wisconsin, 2,981 in Texas, 2,875 in Illinois, 2,272 in New York, and less than those numbers in the rest of the country. There have been 128 deaths in the United States, including 36 in New York. Worldwide, according to the World Health Organization’s June 22, 2009 update, there are 70,893 confirmed cases and 312 deaths in 91 countries and territories, with 27,717 confirmed cases in the United States, 8,279 in Mexico, 7,775 in Canada, 5,186 in Chile, 4,250 in the United Kingdom, 4,038 in Australia, and 1,488 in Argentina.

NYSDOH Swine Flu Hotline: 1-800-808-1987 (24 hours a day)

Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ Division of Public Health: 1-631-853-3055

(Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; no weekend hours)

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POSSIBLE IDENTITY THEFT SCAM PLEASE BEWARE:

There has been a report from a Medical Society in Illinois that there are individuals sending faxes to hospitals and/or physician offices posing to be their Carrier or Fiscal Intermediary for Medicare. The medical facility receives a fax instructing them that they must respond to a questionnaire or an account information update within 48 hours in order to prevent a gap in their reimbursement from CMS. The notice comes complete with the CMS and/or the carrier logo and looks authentic.

Once the information is faxed to an 866 number, the thieves get all of the necessary information about that provider and then contact Medicare with that provider information, set up new "offices" and bill fraudulently. The reimbursement money is then funneled into off-shore accounts, etc.

If you receive any thing similar to this please be suspect. Do not respond with the information requested. Please contact the Medicare Carrier (NGS) directly or you may contact the Suffolk County Medical Society.

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