Academy officials continue flu treatment, response

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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Air Force Academy health professionals are continuing care for a number of basic cadet trainees who are exhibiting symptoms consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for influenza like illness, or ILI. 

As of July 13, 121 cadets have met the CDC criteria for ILI. Those 121 cadets are receiving medical care at the Air Force Academy Clinic and have been separated from other basic cadets to prevent the spread of a potential air-borne virus. 

All cadets are doing well, and none require hospitalization. 

"We are cautiously optimistic," said Col. Ken Knight, commander of the Academy's 10th Medical Group, during an interview with local reporters July 10. "It's proving now to be a relatively mild influenza." 

Sixty-seven basic cadet trainees have tested positive for the H1N1 virus as of July 13. The test results were received from the Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine Epidemiology Lab at Brooks City-Base, Texas, and then forwarded to the CDC. 

Health officials stress that H1N1 flu behaves similar to typical seasonal influenza and emphasize the need to take standard seasonal flu preventive measures such as hand washing and cough etiquette. 

"We're taking all the precautionary measures that the CDC recommends," Colonel Knight said. 

The Air Force Academy is taking all necessary precautions to educate and safeguard military and civilian personnel, as well as family members, and is following CDC guidelines for treatment, testing and prevention and consulting with the CDC, Air Force Surgeon General and El Paso County Public Health Department.