PARSONS, Kan. – A third case of Influenza A H1N1 has been confirmed in Labette County and two more are suspected, according to Labette County Health Department Director Debbi Baugher, R.N., and Labette Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Benjamin Cochran, R.N.

Cochran said that the third case is a 14-year-old male who came to Labette Health ExpressCare Monday, June 29 with flu-like symptoms. He was treated, but was not admitted. Two relatives, a 29-year-old male and a two-year-old male, have since come down with similar symptoms.

Confirmation of the third case was received this afternoon from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment laboratory in Topeka. This is the sixth confirmed case in Southeast Kansas.

“There is no known connection between these patients and the two earlier Labette County patients, and no known connection between them and others in the Southeast Kansas area.” Cochran said. “There is also no known connection to Mexico, although that is no longer a concern because of the sheer size of the pandemic.”

Baugher said that the 14-year-old’s condition has improved. He no longer has a fever, but is still experiencing some respiratory symptoms.

The World Health Organization declared a global Influenza A H1N1 pandemic June 11. According to the WHO, 77,201 cases have been reported worldwide, including 332 deaths.

Individuals should contact their health care provider if they experience any of the following symptoms: a fever above 100 degrees, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, respiratory congestion, and possibly diarrhea or vomiting.

According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the best way to contain the spread of H1N1 is through good hand washing and social distancing.  The virus is spread through respiratory droplets which fall three to six feet away from someone who coughs or sneezes and can remain alive on surfaces for up to two hours. Citizens are asked to continue practicing good hand-washing techniques regularly, cover a cough with a tissue or cough into a shirt sleeve, and stay home if any of the above symptoms are evident. Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise.

Community groups should develop plans to reduce social gatherings. If possible, try to limit the amount of time spent in places where crowds are present. People can have the virus before they have symptoms. People with flu-like symptoms should avoid contact with people until they have been free of the symptoms for 24 hours or seven days from the first symptom, whichever is shorter.

KDHE has established a phone number for concerned Kansans to call with questions about the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus.  The toll-free number is 1-877-427-7317.  Operators will be available to answer questions from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Persons calling will be directed to press “1” on their touch-tone phone to be directed to an operator who can answer questions. Kansans with questions about the virus can email H1N1fluinfo@kdheks.gov.  Information is also available from KDHE at www.kdheks.gov.