Investigators Try To Track Down Flu Virus

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Investigators at Columbus Public Health spend countless hours trying to track down people who may be infected with the H1N1 virus. 

They say it’s just like crime-scene detective work.

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Nancy Gantner is usually a nursing supervisor for Columbus Public Health. 

But lately she has joined a cadre of other CPH employees as an H1N1 flu investigator.

Now, she sits in a basement room all day making phone calls, trying to track down all the people who might have come in contact with an infectious person. 

The investigation is basically the same whether it’s for the H1N1 virus, HIV, syphilis or a dozen other communicable diseases.

“They’re pretty cooperative as far as understanding that we don’t want it to spread any farther,” Gantner says. “We want to contain this.”

“This is the very core of public health,” says CPH Spokesperson Jose Rodriguez. 

He says, with the H1N1 flu outbreak, the investigation begins as soon as a suspected case appears. 

“All of the suspect cases have been treated as if they are going to be confirmed,” he says. 

That helps public-health officials, hopefully, stay ahead of the infection curve.

“It’s just like crime-scene detective work,” says CPH Medical Director Dr. Mysheika LaMaile-Williams.

When a doctor or hospital reports a person may have a case of H1N1 flu, the investigators spring into action. 

They interview the patient to find out where they’ve been and whom they’ve been around. 

Then they contact the secondary people to tell them they should watch for symptoms.

“We do ask that person to voluntarily stay put or limit their activities,” says CPH Director of Epidemiology Kathy Cowen.  It is vital, she says, for people to stay home from work or school so the virus doesn’t spread.

Williams says she believes the isolation and quarantine techniques have been effective at limiting the spread of the virus in Columbus.

“That’s not to say that we’re not going to get more cases,” she says. “But I think we’ve prevented cases by the isolation and the quarantine.”

The investigators say most people are cooperative. 

They are willing to stay home for a few days but often get a little anxious if the test results take longer than a few days. 

Still, Williams says, people understand why they should stay home and avoid infecting others. 

It’s a voluntary process, but the Health Commissioner can issue a legal quarantine if necessary.

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