Valley medical center has first swine flu case

Carson Valley Medical Center has reported the first case of swine flu confirmed for Carson Valley.

"Even with this first confirmed case for our area, the medical center is not seeing an increase in flu-like activity in the emergency room, which serves patients from Gardnerville, Minden, Genoa and surrounding communities," said hospital spokeswoman Shannon Albert.

A 33-year-old Clark County man infected with the swine flu virus died Sunday, Southern Nevada health officials told the Associated Press.

The man had no underlying heath conditions and had been hospitalized since June 15, officials with The Southern Nevada Health District said Monday.

"We've always expected that we would see patients with more severe illness, and even death," said Dr. Lawrence Sands, chief health officer for the district.

Sands would not identify the man, citing privacy concerns.

Health officials and the Centers for Disease Control still recommend simple hygiene precautions to stay healthy, such as:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

• Stay home if you get sick.

Nearly 28,000 reported illness in the United States, including more than 3,000 hospitalizations and 127 deaths.

The flu has President Barack Obama concerned. The president and other top administration officials met Tuesday with six experts on the 1976 flu so that - in his words - "we can further prepare the nation for the possibility of a more severe outbreak of H1N1 flu."

For the most updated information on the H1N1 virus, visit the CDC's Web site at www.cdc.gov