KWES NewsWest 9 / Midland, Odessa, Big Spring, TX: newswest9.com | Andrews County Swine Flu Case Confirmed

Andrews County Swine Flu Case Confirmed

ANDREWS COUNTY - The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed a case of swine flu also known as H1N1 in Andrews County.

As NewsWest9 reported first, Andrews County had one probable case last week, but the state's swine flu website now lists that case as confirmed.

A spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services tells NewsWest9 that about 90 percent of probable cases are confirmed as being swine flu.

This is the first confirmed swine flu case in the Permian Basin. There are now almost 1200 confirmed cases across Texas.

Health officials say people still need to take proper precautions even though the swine flu has not proven to be as dangerous or deadly as first thought.

The public is urged to follow standard risk-reduction precautions to reduce the spread of illness:

• Stay home if you're sick.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

NewsWest9 has a crew in Andrews County and will have the latest on NewsWest9 at 4, 5 and 6.