2nd Probable Case Of H1N1 Detected In New Hampshire

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CONCORD, N.H. -- Gov. John Lynch and the Department of Health and Human Services said Thursday that another possible case of the H1N1 virus has been detected in a worker at Concord Hospital.

The news comes hours after health officials announced a probable case of swine flu in another worker at the hospital. In the first case, officials said the person never went to the hospital when the virus could have been transmitted.

"The state and the hospital are taking all necessary precautions to protect the patients, the staff and the visitors to the hospital," Lynch said. "And we at this time have no reason to believe that the patients and staff are at risk."

But in the second case, officials said the worker was at the hospital at a time when the virus could have been spread. That person tested positive for influenza, and a sample has been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for further testing.

A third person experiencing flu-like symptoms is also being tested. State health officials are trying to determine who else might have been exposed and if anyone else is experiencing symptoms.

Jose Montero, the state's public health director, said the first employee had not been in Mexico.

"This person did the right thing," Lynch said. "When symptoms started to arise, this person stayed home from work. This person was not at the hospital at the time that this person was contagious."

Concord Hospital said the workers are taking Tamiflu, an antiviral medication shown to be effective against H1N1. Lynch said in both cases, the workers are doing well and feeling better.

"I can understand the concern about the spread of this flu, but again, there is no need for panic," Lynch said. "I ask that all citizens become aware of what the symptoms are and to take the necessary precautions."

Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms should call a doctor and isolate themselves from other people. Proper hand-washing can help prevent contracting the virus, and people should cough or sneeze into their sleeves.

H1N1 cases have been confirmed in Massachusetts and Maine, and New Hampshire health officials said earlier in the week that it was probably inevitable that the virus would eventually be found in New Hampshire.

Infections have been confirmed in 11 states. The CDC said there have been 109 cases, including 50 in New York, 26 in Texas and 14 in California. A toddler from Mexico died in Texas earlier in the week, marking the first U.S. death from the virus.

Health officials worldwide have been trying to limit the spread of the virus because it is a new strain and there is no natural resistance to it in the human population. Influenza typically kills about 36,000 people each year in the United States, but the concern is that a new flu strain that spreads more easily could cause many more deaths.