When state health officials called Janis Goedeke Tuesday night to tell her there was a confirmed case of H1N1 influenza A in Crawford County, the county health officer was not the least bit surprised.
"It was not anything we have not been anticipating," Goedeke said.
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, an adult in Crawford County has been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as "swine flu." State health officials also confirmed a case involving a child in Miami County. These two cases, which are the first in either county, take the state's total of cases to 132, according to the KDHE.
Names of the people who have contracted the virus cannot be released due to privacy laws. Health officials also cannot disclose information regarding the patients' places of residence, other than to say which county they live in.
Goedeke said the person with the virus in Crawford County is "recovering at home."
The H1N1 flu virus has been creeping closer to the local area in recent weeks, as cases in Labette and Neosho counties were confirmed in June. Goedeke said, regarding potential cases in Crawford County, it was a matter of when, not if.
"When you have counties close by that's also had H1N1," she said, "it's just a matter of time before you have your first positive case."
The symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus in humans are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include a fever greater than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting.
Seasonal flu occurs every year and viruses change each year, but many people have some immunity to the circulating virus which helps limit infections.
However, H1N1 is a new virus and one to which most people have little or no immunity; therefore, there is a possibility that this virus could cause more infections than are seen with seasonal flu, Goedeke said.
Individuals with the above symptoms should contact their physician, who will determine whether testing or treatment is needed.
As with any influenza virus, individuals are encouraged to take the following steps to reduce spread:
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to co-workers and friends.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.
• Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise.
Additional information about H1N1 flu can be found at http://www.kdheks.gov/H1N1/ or http://www.cdc.gov.
PITTSBURG —
