First H1N1 Case Confirmed In Canyon County

A Canyon County woman in her 40s is the first confirmed case of H1N1 (swine flu) virus infection in Southwest Idaho. The woman has received medical attention, but did not require hospitalization. She had no travel history outside of the United States. As of Friday June 5th, there are 22 confirmed cases of H1N1 statewide. Nationally, there have been 13,217 confirmed cases with 27 deaths.

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.

If you, or a family member, are experiencing these symptoms you should consult with your health care provider for treatment options and testing. Only testing can determine whether you have the H1N1 flu virus.

There is no vaccine available for H1N1, but health officials advise the public to practice good hygiene by following the prevention tips below:

Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing;
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth;
Cover your cough or sneeze, or cough into your elbow;
If you are sick, stay home from work or school, and don’t travel.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.