May 7, 2009

Ada County Has Second Probable Test for H1N1 (Swine Flu) Infection

A 13-year-old Ada County girl is the latest to have a probable test for the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, according to the Central District Health Department (CDHD). As with the first Ada County case reported earlier this week, the sample has been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation. The girl was not hospitalized and is recovering at home.

Public health officials are working with the parents of the infected teen and their healthcare provider for continued care, and to implement strategies to reduce the chances of transmitting the virus to others in the community.

This is Idaho’s third probable case. The first probable case was confirmed by the CDC as H1N1 infection on Sunday. The state continues to test samples from residents with flu-like illness, but as of May 6, 2009, 212 of those tests have come back negative.

Symptoms of the H1N1 infection are similar to seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting. People cannot contract the infection from eating pork.

CDHD has established a Swine Flu Hotline for area residents with questions about the H1N1 virus. The hotline is staffed Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with a recorded message available the rest of the time.