People have been ill and diagnosed with the H1N1 flu in Lincoln County.  The flu has also been reported in area counties.  As of June 22, there have been 3473 people reported to be ill with H1N1 flu in Wisconsin.
Because H1N1 is a new virus, most people will not have immunity to it and there is currently no vaccine to protect against it. 
“The flu is spread primarily from person-to-person through coughing or sneezing. Everyday habits can help you stay healthy – wash your hands often, cover your cough, eat well, get enough sleep, and lower your stress,” stated Shelley Hersil, Director, Lincoln County Health Department.
Those with flu-like symptoms (fever plus cough and/or sore throat, body aches/headache), should avoid contact with others and stay home from work and school.  All persons with flu-like symptoms are not recommended to seek medical care; however, those at high risk of problems from the flu (children under 5 years old, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions, and people 65 years and older) should contact their health care provider or seek medical care.
Over the past couple of months, federal and State of Wisconsin public health officials have learned that this virus appears to be similar in severity to the seasonal flu. In Wisconsin, younger people are more likely to become ill, with 75% of people being under 20 years of age; only 1% have been older than 60. There have been few hospitalizations for H1N1 flu reported in Wisconsin, however, two deaths have occurred, including one in Marathon County.  In the United States, on average, seasonal flu and its complications cause an estimated 36,000 deaths a year.
For more information, contact Lincoln County Health Department at 536-0307 or visit http://pandemic.wisconsin.gov.