By Catherine Wolf, KWMU
St. Louis, MO –
The St. Louis County Health Department says residents should not be worried that a local teenager has contracted swine flu.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services confirmed the County's first case on Wednesday night after a respiratory sample tested positive.
Mike Williams is the director of communicable disease control and prevention for the County Heath Department. He says residents should take the same precautions they would to keep from catching any virus.
"We cover our coughs, and wash our hands and stay home if we're sick. I think those are the absolutely most potent tools we've got in controlling the spread of any infection."
Williams says the teenager is being kept home from school and treated with anti-viral medication.
"The risk of transmission to other students and workers is brought to the lowest level possible. So, so basically its infection control and hygiene in schools now, and not school closings."
Missouri has nine confirmed cases of swine flu, including one in St. Charles County.