One year and two days ago, the World Health Organization declared the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, a pandemic.
Today, Valley officials say, the isolation and vaccinations against the virus have decreased the spread of it so much that no cases have been seen for more than a month.
"We have not seen any influenza here for the last two months," said Dr. Lisa Esolen, medical director of infection control at Geisinger Health System.
A spokeswoman for the state Department of Health said the department has not seen a confirmed case of H1N1 in a month.
Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg, did not return calls regarding the issue.
Last year, the pandemic was just being recognized during April and May and that caused concern because of the unusual time of the year.
Medical officials see no indication that the H1N1 virus remains problematic, Esolen said.
"Influenza is a usually a seasonal illness that naturally waxes and wanes," she said. "The changing seasonality mixed with widespread immunization and isolation practices most likely blunted the effects of H1N1."
Officials will encourage vaccinations again during the regular influenza season beginning in the fall, Esolen said.
The state Department of Health's weekly influenza report on its website was last updated May 1. Flu activity, it reported, was "sporadic."
The department's "H1N1 in PA" website was last updated Feb. 26, reporting 10,970 confirmed cases and 132 probable cases.
At that time, Montour County had 14 confirmed cases, Northumberland County had 43 confirmed cases, Snyder County had 42 confirmed and three probable cases and Union County had 24 confirmed and one probable case.
n E-mail comments to gmorton@dailyitem.com
News
Health experts aren't seeing swine flu cases
Health experts aren't seeing swine flu cases
- News
-
-
Firefighter union may char pacts
LEWISBURG — Paid members of the William Cameron Engine Company have voted to unionize under the International Association of Fire Fighters, a move believed to stem from internal tension between paid and volunteer members of the department, according to various sources.
-
M-W rule on drug testing is area’s boldest
MIDDLEBURG — Midd-West is the only school district in the Central Susquehanna Valley that requires students interested in participating in extra-curricular activities to agree to submit to random drug testing.
-
New shelter exec gets busy
When Cathy Teisher stepped down as executive director of Haven Ministries, in March, Pamela Steffen stepped up.
-
Tax boost could bring $120G pad
The Lewisburg Area School District will seek a 3.2 percent real estate tax increase for the 2012-13 school year, the maximum allowed under the index, under a proposed budget now available for public comment.
-
Fire has burned beneath Centralia for 50 years
CENTRALIA — Fifty years ago on Sunday, a fire at the town dump ignited an exposed coal seam, setting off a chain of events that eventually led to the demolition of nearly every building in Centralia — a whole community of 1,400 simply gone.
-
'To Do': Montandon Community Days
MONTANDON - Montandon Community Days will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 26 along Railroad Street.
-
California’s Coronado named nation’s best beach
CORONADO, Calif. (AP) — Like a Hollywood star, Coronado’s 1.5 mile-long beach literally sparkles, thanks to the mineral mica glinting in its sand.
That’s one of the reasons why Coronado — flanked by the iconic hotel featured in Marilyn Monroe’s 1958 film “Some Like It Hot” — has been named the No. 1 beach in the United States in the 2012 survey by “Dr. Beach” professor Stephen P. Leatherman of Florida International University. -
Typical CEO made $9.6M last year, AP study finds
Profits at big U.S. companies broke records last year, and so did pay for CEOs.
-
Barnstorming cattle badger citizens for beer
BOXFORD, Mass. (AP) — Police say a roving group of cows crashed a small gathering in a Massachusetts town and bullied the guests for their beer.
-
'A Day in Towne' tradition draws crowds to Boalsburg
May 25--For the 148th year, Boalsburg will be the gathering place for regional families to remember all ranks of Armed Forces veterans.
-
Fired Pa. president gets more time to clear office
CALIFORNIA, Pa. (AP) — A judge has canceled a hearing to determine whether California University of Pennsylvania president Angelo Armenti can remove his personal property from his former office, because state officials have given him more time to do so.
- Weird crime of the week: Peddler in pickup scams bargain-hunting meat seeker
- More News Headlines
-
Firefighter union may char pacts
