First case of swine flu hits Ingham County

The first case of swine flu was identified in Ingham County on Friday, Ingham County Medical Examiner Dean Sienko said.

“This is not surprising,” he said. “There are thousands of cases now across the United States. We totally expected this to happen, and we will undoubtedly have more cases.”

A press release from Sienko’s office stated that the virus was detected in an unidentified 49-year-old man who was not hospitalized and is recovering.

“What we’re advising is that people use good precautions and good hand hygiene,” Sienko said. He added his office is currently not recommending treatment.

Although it is Ingham County’s first confirmed case, the virus has affected 157 Michigan residents in 26 counties, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health’s Web site. Kent County has the most confirmed cases with 48.

“These cases have been mild, and they’re nothing to get overly excited about,” MDCH spokesman James McCurtis said. “We’re telling people to be cognizant of what you do, in terms of washing your hands frequently, covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, stay at home when you’re feeling sick — just the basic things you need to do to stay healthy.”

For more information, including a list of affected counties and prevention tips, visit www.michigan.gov/mdch/.