SPOKANE, WA -- Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) Health Officer Dr. Joel McCullough spoke with local media this afternoon to provide updated information on the H1N1 flu outbreak.

According to McCullough, a second probable case in Spokane County was identified as SRHD officials were investigating the first case. The second case is a member of the same family. The second person is a child who was not attending school during the time in which he would have been contagious. The lab tests from both probable cases have been forwarded to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for final confirmation.

Statewide, there are now sixteen probable cases, including the two in Spokane County.

The SRHD is continuing to follow up on illness reports from the probable case investigations and medical providers.

Officials emphasize that at this time the symptoms associated with the outbreak appear to be of mild to moderate severity, similar to that which is seen with seasonal influenza.

Health officials will continue monitoring these and other reports of illness, and say that because the illness is easily spread, we can expect to see more illness in our community.

Community members are encouraged to continue health safety practices, including covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands regularly and thoroughly, and staying home if sick.

SRHD continues providing regular updates to the media, emergency responders, public officials and many other area partners to continue the preparedness response.

More information, including tips to avoid spreading the illness, is available on the SRHD website at www.srhd.org or on the national CDC website at www.cdc.gov.

The SRHD's Call Center operations have been suspended for now, and will be reactivated if conditions warrant on Monday. In the meantime, those wanting more information on H1N1 flu may call 1-800-CDC-INFO. 

Informational flyers and posters to print out and share are available on our website at www.srhd.org. 

Spokane Regional Health District provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations. Requests may be made by calling 324-1480 or TDD 324-1464.