An 11 year-old in North Deschutes County was diagnosed yesterday with H1N1 (swine flu). The child is recovering at home and did not require hospitalization. No connections have been identified that could link to other confirmed positive cases in Oregon.

Two residents of Deschutes County have also been confirmed with H1N1, but contracted the illness in another state. The two people will be residing in that state for the remainder of the summer. This brings Deschutes County confirmed H1N1 case counts to three.

It is likely that H1N1 existed in Deschutes County prior to this first confirmed case based on the assumption that confirmed cases often represent a larger number of infections. When flu symptoms are mild, people are less likely to seek medical care.

Most states, including Oregon, are experiencing a decrease in **Influenza cases, but a few local strains are still being reported. The Deschutes County Health Services Department expects H1N1 cases to decrease this summer. In the meantime, Health staff are preparing for a busy fall flu season.

YOU CAN PREVENT H1N1 and the COMMON FLU

New strains of H1N1 influenza (that the population does not have immunity to) are currently circulating in Oregon. By taking three simple steps 1. washing hands frequently, 2. covering your coughs and sneezes and 3. staying home from work when sick, Oregonians can help prevent the spread of infection to others, while also protecting themselves.

The Deschutes County Health Services Department seeks RN volunteers to help with mass H1N1 vaccination clinics later in the fall. Please call Holly Nyquist for more information at 322-7440.

For more information about H1N1, please call the Deschutes County Health Services Department at 322-7400.

** Several groups, including children less than 5 years-old, pregnant women and people 65 years and older, are at increased risk of complications from Influenza. This risk occurs whether they have infection from the newly identified flu strain or seasonal flu varieties. People in these groups who develop a high fever with cough, sore throat or muscle aches, or parents of young children with these symptoms, should strongly consider calling their health care provider.