Chippewa Falls (WQOW)- A new strain of flu has made its way to Wisconsin.
Health officials are confirming two cases of a new type of swine flu, one is in Dunn County. A child caught the virus while showing pigs at the Wisconsin State Fair and is recovering. Hundreds of people were sickened by H1N1, also known as swine flu, back in 2009, but health officials tell us the current strain is different.
"It's not the same family, so to speak, as what was the H1N1 flu, this is a different strain," said Jean Durch, Chippewa County Health Department.
According to the Center of Disease Control and the State Health Department there have been two cases of a new strain of swine flu.
"These are viruses and viruses like to change up and make them selves more able to infect people and animals. It is something that happens, it's not uncommon for that to happen and that's why it's important to keep track of what's going on in terms of the flu in the community," said Durch.
Both cases are linked to the Wisconsin state fair--a worker and swine exhibitor. And so far there are no confirmed cases of the flu spreading from person to person.
"In terms of this specific strain of swine flu it appears to be limited to people who have been handling or have been around swine and the other thing that we have observed is that people are readily recovering from the infection," added Durch.
Right now, there is not a vaccine for this new strain. Health officials say the best way to protect yourself is by washing your hands with soap and water. And it's important to note you cannot get the swine flu from eating pork.
