May 7, 2009 - Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and the City’s Commissioner of Health and Human Services Helen Caulton-Harris announced today that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed today that an 11-year-old Springfield child has been diagnosed with H1N1 (Swine Flu).
While the child’s legal residence is a Springfield address officials have confirmed that the child’s family is well into the process of relocating to Connecticut. The child is enrolled in a Connecticut school.
The Massachusetts DPH has confirmed that the child fell ill on April 29th and sought medical attention on April 30th. The child remained at home, unexposed to neighbors and the public.
Due to confidentiality, municipal and state health officials cannot identify the child by name or address. Local health officials have contacted the child’s family. The child’s father reports that the child “is doing much better” and that their experience with the flu was “no big deal.”
No one who lives in the house with the child has reported any flu-like symptoms. Nor has anyone sought medical attention.
“Springfield residents should remain calm. There is no need for panic,” said Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. “The one confirmed case of Swine Flu in our area has been contained and appears to be well under control.”
Sarno said that he called today’s press conference to alert the public and assure city residents, employees and Springfield Public School families that public health officials do not believe there is a greater risk of H1N1 cases in our City because of today’s confirmation of a case in Springfield.