A young adult resident of Fulton County has recovered from H1N1 influenza recently, the Fulton County Health Department said last week.

The person, who was hospitalized but has since been released, tested positive for the H1N1 virus.

Several other county residents have been hospitalized for influenza, but so far, only one has tested positive for H1N1.

Mike Oricko, Fulton County Health Commissioner, said so far, influenza cases caused by the H1N1 virus have been mild, “but there have been a number of deaths, particularly in people who may have other health issues.”

Concern

Health officials are concerned about H1N1 because, like any type of flu virus, H1N1 has a chance to mutate, and change how it affects humans.

Oricko noted some important differences between H1N1 and the more common flu types.

It did not disappear over the summer months, it has a differ- ent effect on people, and it affects a different population.

“We don’t know how it will affect individuals, particularly if it becomes widespread,” he said.

He said it is possible to contract a traditional seasonal flu virus and the H1N1 virus at the same time.

Vaccinations

So far, Oricko said the Health Department has vaccinated more persons against seasonal flu than last year.

The most recent figures available show adult vaccinations are up 13%, while the number of children vaccinated is up 66%.

There is plenty of seasonal flu vaccine available, and Oricko is recommending persons get the vaccination, either by nasal spray or injection.

Oricko said health department officials have been told to expect some limited supplies of H1N1 vaccine as early as this week.

However they don’t know how much, or what kind, they’ll get.

“We don’t have anything confi rmed,” he said.

As a result, health department officials are developing contingency plans for who will be vaccinated against H1N1, depending on how much vaccine is available.

“It depends on the priority set by the state.

“It looks like people in the medical profession (will be the first to get the H1N1 vaccine)– people who deal with individuals on an emergency basis, or in a hospital setting.

“But that’s subject to change,” he said.

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