Swine flu

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Oregon's first probable case of swine flu has been detected in a Multnomah county woman and another three specimens under review by the state public health lab could be counted as swine flu cases by the end of the day, officials said this morning.

The woman identified as a probable case was not hospitalized and is now recovering, public health officials said.Because the woman had been in contact with two members of her extended family who had traveled to Mexico and been exposed to the new strain of virus, officials will treat her case as swine flu pending the results of a confirmatory test by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Dr. Mel Kohn, head of the Oregon Public Health Department. Results will be available in several days.

The woman identified as a probable case felt flu-like symptoms on Sunday. She worked one day while ill, officials said, before going to her doctor. Dr. Gary Oxman, health officer for Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties, said none of the woman's co-workers have so far reported symptoms, but the investigation is ongoing.

The woman tested positive for non-typeable Influenza A. Results from CDC's confirmatory tests so far show more than 95 percent of cases with this test result will ultimately test positive for swine flu, the state reports. Within days, Oregon public health expects to receive supplies to conduct its own confirmatory tests.

"I know Oregonians are concerned and want to know what they can do to protect themselves and their families," Kohn said. "This doesn't change our advice -- wash your hands, cover your cough and if you are sick, stay home."

In Washington, health officials have identified six probable cases, one of them involving a student at a school that they've closed for seven days, a step that would be taken in Oregon should swine flu sicken a student or child in day care. Oxman said the Oregon case does not have any link to schools.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease in pigs that historically has rarely spread to humans. Humans can be infected with swine flu even if they don't have physical contact with pigs. Eating pork or pork products does not transmit the virus.

Symptoms are similar to typical seasonal influenza: fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

-- Paige Parker; paigeparker@news.oregonian.com