Released 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2009
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services reported Friday that the Centers for Disease Control is testing a resident of the Upper Valley for probable H1N1 flu.
On Friday afternoon, Governor John Lynch announced that this is the third probable case in the State of New Hampshire. The College was able to confirm on Friday evening that the third case involves an employee of the Hanover Inn (the Inn is owned by Dartmouth College).
The employee has been on a medical leave from work since 12 noon on April 29th. On Friday evening, the College reached the family of the employee, and the family confirmed that the staff member has been diagnosed with influenza A. The CDC is conducting a test for the H1N1 strain (results are expected within one week).
The name of the staff member is not being disclosed for privacy reasons.
Dr. Jack Turco, director of health services at Dartmouth, and Carl Pratt, general manager of the Hanover Inn, spoke with the employee by telephone on Saturday afternoon. The employee is being treated with Tamiflu® and is feeling better. The employee will remain on medical leave and under a physician’s care.
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has advised the College that they have completed a thorough investigation of this case. The State told the College that anyone who might have been in need of medical treatment has been contacted and treated. The State has determined that there is no increased risk at the Inn or at the College at this point in time, and that no additional steps need to be taken.
In consultation with the Department and the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Dartmouth has made the decision that both the Hanover Inn and the campus will remain open. The following advisory has been posted for visitors to campus: <http://www.dartmouth.edu/~prepare/swineflu/visitormemo050109.html>.
The College is issuing regular updates, as new information becomes available. The swine flu situation presents a very rapidly changing challenge that will require adaptation to evolving circumstances. Dartmouth policies will be revised as new developments occur and public health recommendations change. We urge members of the community to stay abreast of developments at Dartmouth and elsewhere through the following web sites:
