Local News
State testing suspected swine flu case in Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is testing for a possible case of swine flu in the Waterloo area, health officials said Wednesday.
A person showed up at a hospital or clinic Tuesday evening with symptoms that met the case definition of the virus, said Bruce Meisinger, the division manager of disease surveillance with the Black Hawk County health department.
Meisinger said samples were sent to the University Hygienic Laboratory in Iowa City for confirmation. Testing could take several days, he said.
Meisinger said his department is in contact with the Iowa Department of Public Health.
“In terms of the case definition issued by the CDC and Iowa Department of Public Health most recently, this particular case seemed to meet the case definition,” he said.
State health department spokeswoman Polly Carver-Kimm did not immediately return phone calls or respond to e-mail requests. Gov. Chet Culver’s office scheduled a 3:30 p.m. news conference about swine flu but declined to discuss the Black Hawk County case.
Meisinger refused to give details about the ill individual but said the person was showing certain symptoms of the case definition of swine flu, including a temperature higher than 100 degrees, nasal congestion, body aches and lack of energy.
Meisginer said this person had either traveled to an infected location or had close contact with a person who had traveled to one of those areas.
Meisinger said he didn’t know if the person was hospitalized or what treatment was being used.
“One of my staff people called me last evening and informed me what was pending here, and I did not have access to the full information other than by phone conservation,” he said.
Meisinger said he would know more once the lab tests are back.
“Probably by the end of the week we’ll know the status of this case,” he said.
- Local News
-
-
Ottumwa state patrol office closing
Move will save $125,000 a year without cutting back the number of troopers on the roads.
-
River rising again
Rain, outflow from Red Rock Lake push river level in Ottumwa up again.
-
Chillicothe Council votes to leave street open
City will address the crossing in a few years, when the new bridge is open to traffic.
-
E-B board considers new insurance plan
With health insurance costs expected to go up by 40.9 percent for the current policy, Superintendent Dean Cook suggested a change.
-
Van Buren supervisors OK property tax freeze
Supes approved a $7.5 million budget; supervisor Bill Randoph announced his retirment.
-
‘Crime spree’ nets prison, probation sentence for 2 southern Iowans
After an August arrest, two men will start prison and probation for assorted burglary and criminal mischief charges.
-
Nominations papers for primary filed in Van Buren County
Van Buren County announces candidates and offices for election.
-
No tax dollar increase in county budget
County supervisors unanimously pass budget that won't increase taxes or change levy.
-
Bracing for flooding again on Rabbit Run Road
-
Philipsen performs for Ottumwa students
Dane Philipsen, an oboist for the Atlanta Opera, returned to his hometown to perform for local grade schools this week.
- More Local News Headlines
-
