DURHAM, NC -- At least one confirmed case and several other suspected cases of Influenza A have been reported among high school youth participating in the Renaissance Upward Bound Camp on North Carolina Central University’s campus this week.  According to the Durham County Health Department, most cases of influenza-like illness occurring in our community are now likely to be from the H1N1 virus.
The Upward Bound campers all reside in Edgecombe and Durham counties. As of Thursday, July 16, all camp participants had returned to their respective homes and the camp has been cancelled for the remainder of the scheduled session.

NCCU officials have taken steps to inform the campus community as well as other groups who were known to have visited the campus in recent weeks.  Letitia Hazel, M.D., NCCU’s medical director, says, “We are working closely with the local health department and all summer programs on our campus and will take every precaution to ensure that our camps and academic programs are safe for participants.”

The Centers for Disease Control advises that persons displaying flu-like symptoms remain at home for seven days after symptoms begin or for 24 hours after symptoms resolve, whichever is longer.
There are no vaccines currently available to prevent the H1N1 flu, but the CDC encourages persons to take the following precautions to help safeguard against the illness:

• Report any symptoms of influenza-like illness to your health care provider.
• Wash hands often with soap and water or use alcohol based hand sanitizers
• Cover the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and throw the tissue away after use. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into a shirt sleeve.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth if hands have not been washed.
• Avoid close contact with sick individuals.
• Do not share food or drink with other people.

The University will continue to work closely with the Durham County Health Department and other related agencies to monitor this situation and will provide additional information as appropriate.

For more information go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website or view the H1N1Fact Sheet.