Fort Leonard Wood this evening is reporting that a soldier tested positive for H1N1 influenza, commonly known as swine flu. It is the first case reported in the region.
The unidentified soldier arrived at the base on June 13 and reported to General Leonard Wood Community Hospital on June 16. Testing at the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine confirmed the strain.
The infected soldier is expected to recover fully. There are no other suspected cases at Fort Leonard Wood, according to a press release. Officials are coordinating with state and county health authorities to ensure surveillance and treatment as needed.
The base’s public affairs office said post officials are increasing awareness and are taking appropriate recommended steps to enforce preventive health measures, such as proper hand washing, not sharing eating or drinking utensils, proper cough etiquette and personal hygiene measures to reduce the chance of transmission.
To learn more about the swine flu, check http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.