June 22, 2009 — The Country Day School on St. Croix temporarily closed its summer camp for 10 days after a toddler tested positive for the H1N1 influenza A virus — more commonly known as the swine flu.
The child was treated and isolated and has fully recovered, but the camp will be closed as a precautionary measure, acting Health Commissioner Julia Sheen said in a statement Monday. Ten days is the virus's general incubation period, she said.
"This will also allow camp personnel to sanitize the areas in use," Sheen said. "Once this is completed, the camp can reopen."
The child's family members have all been screened and treated with Tamiflu, and Health is working to screen all "non-family" contacts, she said.
This is the third confirmed case of H1N1 in the territory and the first for St. Croix. Two other cases were confirmed on St. Thomas last week. (See "Second Case of Swine Flu on St. Thomas Confirmed.")
Guidelines for summer camps were released by Health last week, and camp owners were urged to be on the alert for influenza symptoms. Children with flu-like symptoms or a fever greater than 100.3-degrees should be "immediately isolated" and not allowed to come to camp until they're screened and cleared by a physician, Sheen said.
Swine flu can be mistaken for the seasonal flu, so residents experiencing two or more symptoms — a fever of 100.3-degrees, headache, runny nose, sore throat, cough, body ache or fatigue — are urged to seek treatment.
Some may also experience nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
Influenza viruses are spread from person to person through tiny droplets. Residents are urged to wash their hands frequently and cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. You can also prevent the virus from spreading by using hand sanitizers, coughing into shirt sleeves or elbows and washing your hands after touching much-used surfaces such as counter tops, door knobs and faucets.
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