White County has experienced its first case of the H1N1 flu virus.
White County Health Department nurse Linda Pagels was informed of an H1N1 case last week by the Indiana State Department of Health.
While she is still waiting on a written report, she was informed the patient sought treatment at a hospital while out of state on vacation.
“We don’t know at this point if the person came in contact with it while traveling or while in White County,” Pagels said.
A communal disease rule required the out-of-state hospital to send the information back to where the person lives, Pagels said.
Pagels isn’t surprised someone from White County was infected with the virus.
“I’ve been expecting it since this whole thing came about,” she said. “I’ve been expecting it at anytime. I’m surprised it took this long.”
Pagels said she found out about the case while at a pandemic tabletop exercise with Purdue University officials at Logansport Memorial Hospital.
“It was ironic, we were learning how to protect the public when I found out about it,” she said.
She added the person had been treated and had recovered from the virus.
While the confirmed case does concern Pagels, she said the county had been heavily involved in planning for any problems that might arise, especially since officials believe the virus will reemerge in the fall.
“We are in the early stages of planning if they come out with a vaccine,” Pagels added.
Pagels also believes there may be more cases in the area.
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” she said. “I’m sure there are probably more. They just aren’t confirmed through testing or the person didn’t feel well, but didn’t go to the doctor.”
It is also important for the community to remain aware of the flu virus, according to Pagels. She said her department had been working with the school system in case the virus did come back in the fall.
Pagels also hopes to hold a town hall meeting to bring the attention back to the public.
She reminds residents to remember the basics of protecting themselves: Wash your hands frequently, she said, and if you cough or sneeze, do it into a tissue.
• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com
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