Lyon County's first case of H1N1 flu confirmed

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly

By Gwendolynne Larson (Contact)

Originally published 05:04 p.m., July 1, 2009
Updated 05:41 p.m., July 1, 2009

The H1N1 flu has arrived in Lyon County.

An adult tested positive for the disease, officials said just before 5 p.m. today. The person contracted the flu strain in another state, said Ann Mayo, director of environmental health for Lyon County.

“That was pretty good luck,” Mayo said, “it was contained.”

Mayo said the person was tested on Tuesday and the sample sent to the lab at the Kansas Department of Health Environment. Lyon County was notified of the results about 3:45 p.m. today. The county’s public health staff worked the case as a probable infection so already had gathered information to contact people the person came into contact with.

“I have to give our publish health staff a tremendous pat on the back,” she said, noting that funding since 9/11 has been spent to practice preparing for a public health situation.

For now, Mayo said, people should take the normal precautions, especially considering the upcoming Fourth of July holiday and planned events where groups of people will gather — the downtown festival, street dance and fireworks.

“There is no need to cancel anything,” Mayo said.

“What they need to do is, if they’re sick, they should stay home and be considerate of other people.”

Mayo also recommended that people in high-risk groups watch fireworks from home. Another option, given the number of places city officials have designated for parking, is to watch from a car. Those at high risk, Mayo said, include people taking chemotherapy, diagnosed with AIDS and having a chronic health condition.

“Pregnant women fall into that category, in my opinion,” Mayo said.

Other precautions people should take to combat the spread of the flu include:

• 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.Information from KDHE said the flu virus has been confirmed in a Lyon County adult.

Although originally referred to as “swine flu,” the H1N1 influenza A virus is not spread through food. It cannot be contracted by eating pork or pork products, officials said.

The symptoms of H1N1 flu include:

• Fever greater than 100 degrees

• Body aches

• Coughing

• Sore throat

• Respiratory congestion

• In some cases, diarrhea and vomiting

So far, KDHE has identified 133 cases of H1N1 influenza A virus in Kansas. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control are reporting more than 27,000 people who have contracted the disease as of June 25 and 127 flu-related deaths. Globally, the World Health Organization has logged 77,201 confirmed cases and 332 deaths in more than 110 countries, the Associated Press reported today.