Flu case confirmed in Eagle County

Staff report

EAGLE, Colorado — Eagle County has reported the first confirmed case of H1N1 (swine) flu on Colorado’s Western Slope, according to the Eagle County Public Health Department.

The announcement follows testing conducted by the county and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The results were confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The affected individual is a male in his late teens and is not a student, according to an Eagle County press release issued Monday morning. He was not hospitalized and is recovering.

County Epidemiologist Becky Larson said that, while the department takes the confirmed case seriously, there is no reason for the public to be alarmed.

“It’s important to remember that, so far, H1N1 is affecting people at the same rate and in the same manner as seasonal flu,” Larson said. “If you follow basic steps to prevent the spread of the illness, including washing hands frequently, covering your coughs and sneezes and keeping a reasonable distance from those who are ill, there is no reason not to go about your daily business.”

Individuals with mild flu-like illness are advised to stay home. Children and adolescents with a fever should not go to child care or school, and adults with a fever should not go to work until they have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours.

The symptoms of H1N1 flu in humans are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and may include fever greater than 100°F, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache, body aches and fatigue.

If symptoms are severe, individuals should seek the advice of their health care provider. The illness is passed from person to person and is not spread by pigs or by eating pork, according to health officials.

Larson said citizens may want to prepare for an emergency that might require staying home for several days. This includes creating a kit with enough food, water and other supplies for a 72-hour period. The American Red Cross at www.redcross.org and Ready Colorado at www.readycolorado.org are recommended resources.