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Posted: Tuesday, 28 April 2009 1:58PM
Indiana Swine Flu Patient Was At Notre Dame
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SWINE FLU INFORMATION CENTER
INDIANAPOLIS (CBS) ― The person who contracted swine flu in northern Indiana was a student at Notre Dame University in South Bend, officials said Tuesday.
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the infected person was at Notre Dame in St. Joseph County, Ind.
The infected person is "doing well" so far, Health Commissioner Dr. Judy Monroe said earlier in the day
As CBS 2's Derrick Blakley reports, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security would not release the patient's name.
Authorities said the person has other health issues, but what they are have not been speficied.
The virus is expected to spread in Indiana, according to state health officials.
Rachel Meyer, spokeswoman for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, says the patient is now recovering and is "presenting healthy."
The person had not traveled to Mexico recently, Meyer said, "so we are, at this point, trying to determine how they did contract this type of influenza."
"What we're really encouraging everyone to do is practice normal preventative measures, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw that tissue away when you're done, wash your hands often with soap and water, use a hand sanitizer, avoid close contact with people who are sick, and if you are sick, stay home from work or school," Meyer said.
It is not known how many people the infected patient has come into contact, Meyer said.
At 8 a.m. on Tuesday the Department of Health implemented its emergency operation facility.
Monroe said the case had been confirmed in testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The agency said Sunday that it had sent two flu specimens for tests by the CDC. The agency said the flu specimens did not match other strains that Indiana has seen this year.
This makes a total of 51 cases of swine flu reported so far in the United States. None have yet been reported in Illinois.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(CBS 2 and the Post-Tribune are news partners covering stories in the communities of northwest Indiana. Send story tips to tips@cbs2chicago.com. (© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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