The first confirmed case of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as Swine Flu, has occurred in Star Valley. The case occurred in Alpine.
According to Ruthanne Taylor, Doctor of Nursing and Certified Family Nurse Practictioner who works at the Alpine Clinic, four suspected cases of the H1N1 virus are awaiting confirmation.

“The interesting thing is that these cases are all locals, not tourists, and this is our big tourist season,” said Taylor.

Taylor emphasized that the best thing local people can do to prevent the disease from spreading is stay home if they have a fever and cough and contact their local healthcare provider.

As of Friday, June 26, the Wyoming Department of Health has confirmed swine flu cases in eight counties. Of the lab-confirmed infections, 50 are from Laramie County, eight are from Sweetwater County, six are from Lincoln County, there are two each in Fremont, Natrona and Uinta counties, and there is one each in Campbell and Johnson counties.

“Counts provided by the department only reflect cases confirmed by the Wyoming Public Health Laboratory,” said Kim Deti of the Wyoming Department of Health. “The department expects the number of actual infections around the state to be higher because many ill persons do not seek medical care or are not tested specifically for the swine flu strain.”

According to the Wyoming Department of Health, flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches and fatigue.  Some patients have also reported diarrhea and vomiting.

Steps recommended by the Wyoming Health Department to help prevent the spread of illness include:
• Staying home from work, school or travel while ill with flu-like symptoms;
• Frequent hand washing with soap and water or the use of an alcohol-based hand gel;
• Covering noses and mouths with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing, and throwing used tissues in a trash can;
• Avoiding contact with ill persons.
• Persons at high risk for complications from influenza (such as persons 65 years or older, children younger than five years, pregnant women, and persons with chronic medical conditions) should consider avoiding crowded or large gatherings if ill persons may be present.