Staff Writer

Area hospitals have been busy addressing concerns from worried Mainers about the global swine flu outbreak following news last week that it had arrived in southern Maine. 

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention as of Tuesday identified seven probably cases of H1N1 – more commonly called swine flu – in the state: two adults in Kennebec County, three adults and one youth in York County; and one youth in Penobscot County. Federal health officials have confirmed one case. A day care facility in Arundel closed last Thursday and Friday because a child was suspected to have the strain. The child was not carrying the virus, according to health officials. However, Kennebunk Elementary School remained closed Monday with a suspected case affecting one student.

“We are continuing to examine the specific facts around these cases. None of the individuals have been hospitalized and all are recovering. Our goal remains to slow the spread of H1N1 influenza and to protect public health,” Dr. Dora Anne Mills, director of the Maine CDC, said in a statement.

The Maine CDC continues to closely monitor recommendations from federal officials for mitigating the spread of the flu. Antiviral drugs and protective equipment released from the national stockpile by the US. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention arrived in Maine Saturday, according to the Maine CDC. 

The materials were distributed by the Maine National Guard to nine regional medical facilities across the state – including Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford – which will distribute supplies to other hospitals as needed, according to Maine health officials. The antiviral drugs – which slow the spread of the virus – are intended to treat people who are seriously ill and hospitalized, according to U.S. CDC directives. 

Symptoms of swine flu include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and respiratory symptoms. Health officials recommend people protect themselves against swine flu by practicing good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. People should cover coughs and sneezes; wash hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol hand sanitizers; and stay home for work or school if not feeling well.

At Goodall Hospital in Sanford, the emergency department has had “brisk business” since the swine flu outbreak, said Jean Christensen, director of developing and marketing. The hospital has not seen any suspected cases of swine flu, though patients are still coming in with seasonal influenza, she said. 

In response to concerns about the illness, Goodall Hospital established a “Swine Flu Hotline” (490-7373) that is monitored by a physician. Callers can leave  questions and a contact number and will receive a call from a physician, Christensen said. The hotline received about 15 calls last Thursday and Friday, she said.

The hospital also extended weekend hours at its Goodall Express Clinic in Waterboro, which is normally open on Saturdays. The clinic was open both Saturday and Sunday and received 26 patients; one exhibited flu-like symptoms, Christensen said.

Christensen said the cost to visit the clinic is “significantly less” than an emergency room visit. The hospital recommends people who are concerned they have swine flu symptoms – including a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher – first call their physician, who can gather information and make recommendations for further treatment, she said. 

Southern Maine Medical Center activated its pandemic disease plan last week and a team meets daily to monitor the situation at the hospital, said Sue Hadiaris, vice president of community relations and development. The hospital also is holding a supply of the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, including pediatric doses previously in short supply. The drugs arrived from the federal CDC along with personal protective equipment such as respirators, masks, gowns and gloves, she said. 

Hadiaris said the number of people coming into the emergency room with flu-like symptoms seems to have peaked April 30 when 50 people came in with symptoms and concerns. People coming into the hospital with symptoms are asked to put on a facemask and are immediately taken to isolation rooms for examination and testing, she said. 

Preventing the spread of swine flu has been a major focus for hospital officials in the past week, Hadiaris said. Posters were hung on every hospital door recommending facemasks for sick patients and hand washing for everyone. Hospital officials also met with representatives from Biddeford, Saco and Kennebunk to discuss the situation and outline steps to take if the flu spreads, she said.

The hospital also distributed flyers with prevention tips for area businesses to hand out to customers. Free posters created with similar information are available to all local businesses by calling 283-7234. Additionally, the hospital is working to distribute information to area schools, day care providers and assisted living facilities, Hadiaris said.

While health officials never want people to be sick, said concerns over swine flu have allowed SMMC to examine its policies and plans.

“We feel very good about the fact it gave everyone a good opportunity to test ourselves,” she said. “We feel very good the steps we have taken have helped stop the spread of H1N1.”

Hadiaris said awareness of the flu has also reminded people of the importance of preventing the spread of infectious diseases through proper hand washing.

Nationwide, the U.S. CDC has confirmed 279 swine flu cases in 36 states as of Tuesday. New York has the most confirmed cases with 73, followed by Texas with 41 cases and California with 30 cases. A total of 18 cases have been confirmed in New England as of Monday. The total includes seven cases each in Maine and Massachusetts; two cases in Connecticut; and one case each in New Hampshire and Rhode Island, according to the U.S. CDC. 

Worldwide, 1,124 cases of swine flu have been reported in 21 countries as of Tuesday, according to the World Health Organization. Mexico, where the flu is thought to have originated, has recorded 590 cases and 26 deaths. Other countries reporting the flu include Canada with 140 cases, Spain with 54 cases and New Zealand with six cases, according to the organization.

Maine CDC public call-in line: 888-257-0990, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.