Special to the Tribune

The Surry County Health and Nutrition Center announced Friday that lab tests have confirmed the county’s first case of Novel H1N1 (swine flu).

Local officials say the laboratory-confirmed case was mild, and the person is recuperating and under isolation orders.

The Health and Nutrition Center, leading the response to H1N1, acted quickly once notified by a private physician of the suspected case. Working closely with the private physician and the Health and Nutrition Center, laboratory tests confirmed the area’s first novel virus case.

Although this is the first of its kind in the area, officials warn that other cases may soon follow.

“Once the virus has entered a geographical area, it’s very certain that other cases won’t be too far behind,” says Theresa Hughes, Lead Communicable Disease Nurse at the Surry County Health and Nutrition Center.

Health officials are still stressing that the public remain vigilant in its efforts to minimize the spread of disease:

Practice good hygiene.

Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if water and soap are not available.

Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue; throw the used tissue into a trash can. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, do not go to work or school; stay away from other people as much as possible. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.