Published: July 10, 2009 12:14 pm      

First H1N1 case reported in Clark County

BY RICHARD GOOTEE

Richard.Gootee@newsandtribune.com

State health officials confirmed the first case of the H1N1 virus in Clark County on Thursday.

State Department of Health spokeswoman Jennifer Dunlap declined to disclose additional information about the victim, citing policy.

“We’re not discussing individual cases,” she said.

There have been no deaths connected to the epidemic, commonly known as swine flu, in Indiana. There have been 273 confirmed cases of H1N1 statewide, including 36 that have required hospitalization.

The arrival of the H1N1 flu in Clark County was one of six new cases this week, including two which required hospitalization. The Department of Health updates its count every Thursday.

There have been no reports of the virus in Floyd County.

While there are additional reports every week, Dunlap said the cases in Indiana have been mild.

“Each week, we have new cases, so I don’t know if we would say it has slowed down. Certainly, we are not seeing a [major] increase,” she said.

State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe called the virus’ arrival predictable, given how the virus can spread easily. However, she said residents shouldn’t be overly alarmed and stressed education about the virus.

Also on Thursday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced it expects to have a vaccine against H1N1 by mid-October, but Dunlap said health officials are studying the southern hemisphere’s current flu season to be prepared for a possible spike in H1N1 cases when the traditional flu season begins again in October.

“In the beginning, we are not going to have enough for every citizen of the United States, so people still need to remember the precautions of wash your hands, using your sleeves, and stay home when you’re sick,” she said.

More than 200 of Indiana’s cases have been reported in the state’s two largest counties — Marion, which includes Indianapolis, and Lake, which includes Gary.