Oregon's top doc: 'We are scaling back our response to this virus'

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Story Created: May 5, 2009 at 1:58 PM PST

Story Updated: May 5, 2009 at 3:25 PM PST

By KVAL.com Staff

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Oregon health officials have now confirmed 5 cases of H1N1 flu in Lane County and 21 statewide. But health officials said Tuesday will be the last regular press briefing since the outbreak is behaving more or less like seasonal influenza.

"I have some good news to report to you today," said Dr. Mel Kohn, Oregon's public health director. "We are scaling back our response to this virus and starting to treat it more like we would a seasonal virus."

Statewide, six children, five teens and 10 adults have been diagnosed with H1N1 flu. Of those, nine are male, 12 are female.

There are 50 additional specimens pending in state lab. As more cases are confirmed, new numbers will posted at www.flu.oregon.gov around 4 p.m. each day.

Only one patient in Oregon is hospitalized.

The state endorsed the Centers for Disease Control's new recommendation that schools not close after a confirmed case of the flu.

"What we are advising schools is totally in line with that," Kohn said.
"I would encourage schools are that are closed now to reassess with their local health departments."

There may be specific instances where school might need to close. Kohn said that is a decision for individual school to make in consultation with county and state.

Students and teachers who are ill should stay home.

"I am relieved, but I don't think we're totally out of the woods yet," Kohn said. "I still feel the weight of all the work we have to do to prepare for the fall.

"Flu virus is totally unpredicatable," he said. "We want to be sure that if it does get worse, first of all we're able to detect a change has occurred and we're able to mount an appropriate response."

And even if it doesn't get worse, many people will get sick.

"We are expecting a lot of people will be ill with this virus, even if they're ill the same way people are ill with typical influenza," Kohn said.

Kohn expects the number of flu cases to scale down during summer, but could see the number of cases ramp back up during fall.

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