First Champaign County Swine Flu Case Confirmed

More than 31-hundred swine or H1N1 flu cases have been reported in Illinois, including 13 deaths. And for the first time, a swine flu case has appeared in Champaign County.

Julie Pryde of the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District says the person is between the ages of 5 and 24, and is believed to have become ill over the weekend. She says the person's doctor was very astute, and recognized the symptoms as possibly being swine flu.The person is currentlyrecovering at home.

Pryde says it was only a matter of time before a swine or H1N1 flu case was confirmed in Champaign County. Other central Illinois counties where swine flue cases have been confirmed are Coles, Piatt and Sangamon.

Pryde says the best defense against spreading the swine flu is for people to stay home if they feel sick, and be especially careful if they are pregnant, immune-compromised, or suffer from diabetes or asthma. She says people with these conditions who experience flu symptoms should call their doctor or healthcare provider immediately, because of the increased health risk.

In addition to the more than 3100 cases in Illinois, another 267 cases if swine/H1N1 flu have been confirmed in Indiana. However, no deaths have been reported in that state.

Pryde says there are no other suspected swine flu cases in Champaign County at this time. But she calls on residents to take precautions --- including staying home if they have flu-like symptoms ... and calling their doctor quickly if they have those symptoms on top of factors such as pregnancy, diabetes and asthma.