Governor and State Officials Respond to “Probable” Swine Flu
The individual is expected to make a full recovery and did not require hospitalization.
Governor Tim Pawlenty:
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is characterizing the case as “probable” – meaning that the MDH lab has confirmed the virus as type A influenza, but the strain cannot be identified using lab tests available to MDH.
The individual was linked with Rocori Middle School in Cold Spring. Both Rocori Middle School and St. Boniface Elementary, which share some facilities with Rocori Middle School, are closed today.
Dr. Sanne Magnan
Although any risk to students or staff is regarded as low, the two schools were closed out of “an abundance of caution,” officials said. The schools were closed voluntarily by local officials after consultant with state health officials.
Additional testing by CDC will be needed to determine if the individual had the unusual new strain of influenza that has made people sick in Mexico and six other countries, including five different states in the U.S. Results are expected from CDC within 24 hours.
At least 64 laboratory confirmed cases of the illness have now been reported in the U.S., most of them in New York, California and Texas.
Dr. Ruth Lynfield, Minnesota State Epidemiologist
MDH officials are reminding people that they have a role in controlling the spread of infections like influenza. Stay home if you’re sick, cover your cough, wash your hands frequently and limit your contact with people who you think might be sick.