A new case of swine flu has been confirmed in Orange County Friday, officials said.

The infected individual is a woman who works at UNC’S Highgate Pediatric Clinic in Durham.

Although she works in Durham, she’s a resident of Orange County, so it that county’s the health department which is overseeing her case.
 
The tests confirming she had H1N1 were completed late Friday afternoon, but Orange County health officials say her case of flu is mild and shouldn’t cause great alarm.

“I don’t think there is any cause for panic,” said Dr. Rosemary Summers, the Orange County health director. ”This is a flu like illness and it for the most part is mild in nature.”

UNC medical says the infected employee saw 17 children at its pediatric clinic before realizing she had the flu like symptoms.

Officials said ass of Friday evening, she’s   was staying isolated until  she recovers.

“The individual was not hospitalized and is already improving,” said Dr. Brian Goldstein who is chief of staff.  “That person is following Orange County health recommendations for voluntarily isolation until the symptoms resolve in a total of seven days.”

Orange County says the infected woman began showing the symptoms on Monday.

When the tests Friday confirmed the presence of H1N1, UNC says it notified the families of the 17 children about the situation.

But Dr. Goldstein says, some 5 days later, none of the exposed children are showing any signs of flu.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, North Carolina now has 13 cases of the H1N1 virus.  The most recent case was confirmed in Orange County Friday.

UNC Hospitals would not confirm whether the affected person was hospitalized there, but officials said they are investigating the incident.

With the holiday weekend approaching, public health officials encourage those who feel sick to stay away from social gatherings. 

Health officials are investigating the case and identifying close contacts that may have been exposed to H1N1.  The Centers for Disease Control defines "close" contact for H1N1 as being less than 6 feet away from the sick person.  Close contacts will be asked to monitor themselves for flu symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue) and contact their medical provider if symptoms occur.

“Our investigation involves extensive interviews with the case and those exposed in Orange County.  We cannot release protected health information regarding the case. We will be working collaboratively through the weekend with the N.C. Division of Public Health, Communicable Disease Branch and our partners to reduce the risk of illness and the spread of disease within Orange County,” said Dr. Rosemary Summers, Orange County Health Director.

“We realize it is a holiday weekend with many social gatherings planned.  I urge residents who are feeling sick to stay home rather than attend a social gathering. This is always a good practice.” Dr. Summers continued.

Here is the breakdown of NC Swine Flu Cases:

• 7 cases in Craven County
• 2 cases in Onslow County
• 2 cases in Carteret County
• 1 case in Rutherford County
• 1 case in Orange County.

There are no probable cases under investigation at this time.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the novel influenza A (H1N1) flu spreads in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread, which is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person travel through the air and enter the mouth or nose of people or land on objects nearby.  Infectious respiratory droplets may also be spread when a person touches another person or a contaminated object and then touches their own mouth or nose before washing their hands. 

The public is encouraged to take action to prevent disease spread and protect their health. The health department recommends practicing consistent respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes with tissue) and proper hand washing. Clean commonly touched surfaces often. Avoid contact with people who have flu-like symptoms. Individuals with flu-like symptoms should contact their medical provider and avoid contact with others. Stay home from work, school, church or social gatherings for 7 days after start of illness or until at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved whichever is longer. 

For more information visit http://www.co.orange.nc.us/health/index.asp for the latest Orange County information and http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ for Centers for Disease Control updates.  Residents with general questions about H1N1 can call the 24-hour NC Care Line at 1-800-662-7030 (English and Spanish) or 1-877-452-2514 (TTY).

For additional information and the latest updates, log onto the N.C. DHHS web site, www.ncdhhs.gov.