Update, May 4, 2009: There have been no further reported cases of probable H1N1 influenza in the MIT community since last week. We continue to monitor campus and local community flu activity and public health notices. We recommend that individuals continue to practice good health hygiene (cover coughs and sneezes; cleanse hands frequently) and that individuals with flu-like symptoms consult a health care provider and avoid going out in public.
Although this week's scheduled MIT Spring Break gathering was canceled as a precaution, currently there are no other plans to modify MIT routine operations or event planning.
Two "probable" H1N1 influenza cases not seen as health risk to MIT community
May 1, 2009
Today the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) informed MIT Medical that two patients seen at its campus facility in the last week were being classified as “probable cases” of H1N1 influenza.
The first patient, an MIT student, came to MIT Medical with a flu-like illness on April 23 after returning from a trip to Mexico with a companion. This patient has since recovered fully. Because this visit to MIT Medical occurred prior to the CDC alert regarding H1N1, the patient was not tested for influenza A with the rapid flu test. The patient’s travel companion became sick subsequently, as did one of the travel companion’s friends, who has been diagnosed with influenza A. The Massachusetts DPH is now classifying all three cases as “probable” H1N1 influenza. The MIT student who became ill does not live in campus housing and had only very brief contact with several people on campus before becoming sick. None have become ill, and since the incubation period for the illness has passed, they are not considered to be at risk from this exposure.
The second patient was diagnosed with influenza A on April 29, based on a rapid flu test. Further analysis by the state lab found that the patient’s strain of influenza A was not the typical strain circulating during the past flu season, so the Massachusetts DPH has classified that patient’s illness as “probable” H1N1 pending further testing. The patient has been treated with an antiviral medication and is recovering well. This patient does not work or attend school at MIT.
“We believe that neither of these cases poses a health threat to the MIT community,” emphasized Associate Medical Director David Diamond, M.D. “We are continually tracking the level of flu-like illness on our campus and evaluating and treating those who contact MIT Medical for their care,” he continued. “But unless there is an unexpected increase in the number of persons who become ill or the severity of the illness intensifies, we will continue to recommend that individuals in the MIT community respond to the H1N1 threat by following the same strategies they use to avoid illness during our usual flu season. That means seeking medical advice and/or attention if ill, practicing good personal hygiene by covering coughs and cleansing hands, and, most importantly, staying home if they have flu symptoms. We’re also recommending that individuals with respiratory symptoms wear masks when in close contact with others.”
Despite these efforts, Diamond and others say they expect to see more influenza cases at MIT Medical in the next few weeks. “However, based on the national experience with this virus so far, we also expect that most patients will experience a moderate, self-limited respiratory illness,” Diamond said.
MIT Medical and the Massachusetts DPH continue to monitor the situation closely. The most up-to-date national and local information is available from the CDC and the state’s public health blog.
See also: MIT Medical's influenza information page
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