County’s First Swine Flu Victim?

The first probable case of swine flu in Santa Barbara County was identified Monday night in Santa Maria. A state lab will have to confirm if it is indeed.

The afflicted individual is a two-year-old child who lives with his parents and siblings. The father and two siblings – both of whom are under five years old – were also ill, but are feeling better, according to County Public Health Department officials. The flu is thought to be connected to a cluster of cases at the Grizzly Youth Academy in San Luis Obispo County, where previously multiple cases of swine flu had been detected, though no students have been significantly ill.

The new case in Santa Barbara was expected by county officials, who said the determination will not change their action plan. There have been more than 2,600 confirmed cases and three deaths across the country, including 191 confirmed cases in California.

Anyone with flu-like symptoms are encouraged by officials to stay home, and if they get sicker, should call their medical provider. For more information, visit the Center for Disease control website at cdc.gov.