Swine flu surfaces in LaGrange

A 30-year-old Kentucky woman with a history of travel to Cancun, Mexico is hospitalized in nearby LaGrange with the first report case of swine flu in Georgia.Georgia’s public health chief says she expects more cases – and soon.Elizabeth Ford, head of the Division of Public Health, also said there are now 10 more confirmed swine flu cases in South Carolina.Lamar County officials are taking precautions and preparing for a possible outbreak here.Swine flu has symptoms nearly identical to regular flu, including fever, cough and sore throat and spreads like regular flu through tiny particles in the air when people cough or sneeze.People with flu symptoms are advised to stay at home, wash their hands and cover their sneezes.Ford said there has been no discussion of closing schools in Troup County.The state has established a public health hotline to deal with swine flu issues/inquiries. The number is 1.888.899.9788.For more on local preparations, see the 5.6.09 print edition of The Journal-Reporter.