By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – An unidentified resident of Platte County may be the first Missourian to contract swine flu.
State health officials have sent a virus sample taken from the anonymous patient to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta to verify whether he or she has swine flu.
In the meantime, Governor Jay Nixon says the state will begin distributing its stockpile of influenza drugs.
"The first shipment will go to Platte County health officials, and then we will disburse the rest of these anti-viral drugs out across the Show-Me State," Nixon said.
Nixon told reporters that state health officials are working to find out who may have been in contact with the unidentified patient, and his or her family members will also be monitored.
"I want the people of Missouri to understand that this is a situation that could become more serious...but while this is cause for concern, it is not cause for alarm," Nixon said.