Mahoning Co. has second confirmed case of swine flu

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County has its second confirmed case of H1N1 flu (swine flu) — a 41-year-old female who was treated by her personal physician and was not hospitalized.

The case was confirmed Monday by the Ohio Department of Health. The state lists the patient as a male, but Susan Kovach, epidemiologist for the Mahoning County District Board of Health, said the patient is a female.

Also, there are two more suspected cases, one in the county and one in Youngstown, said Kovach and Neil Altman, commissioner of the Youngstown City Board of Health.

The first case in Mahoning County, a 22-year-old woman whom health officials said fully recovered, was hospitalized with flu-like symptoms shortly after returning home May 26 from a trip to Florida, and was discharged May 31. Kovach said health officials have no idea how the second H1N1 victim contracted the disease.

For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com