The H1N1 flu is in Grey Bruce.
Medical Officer of Health Doctor Hazel Lynn says the season’s first case has been confirmed.
Doctor Lynn says a middle-aged woman with an underlying medical condition was admitted to Hanover hospital briefly, but is already back home.
Doctor Lynn says increased respiratory-type illnesses are also being seen in the monitoring of emergency room visits.
And school absenteeism reporting has also shown some flu like activity in area schools — but Doctor Lynn says the numbers are not high yet, with no school over 10 per cent.
She says looking at patterns of the virus in the south – she expects in another week there will be many cases here and then it will be gone.
However, Doctor Lynn does not expect this year to be any more serious than a typical flu season.
In fact, she says only 0.1 per cent of the people who get sick with H1N1 will need hospitalization – and that’s less than would be expected with the regular flu.
Doctor Lynn says what is different this year is the timing, with the H1N1 virus arriving earlier than the typical flu.
She adds it is also here before a vaccine is available and those shots may just be put back in the fridge for next year.
Doctor Lynn says symptoms of the H1N1 flu are fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
She says vomiting and diarrhea are more common in children.
Doctor Lynn says anyone who is pregnant or has pre-existing health conditions should contact a health care provider if they get the flu.
She says the advice to help curb the spread of the virus is still the same – wash your hands, cough and sneeze into your sleeve, and stay home if you’re sick.