CHARLESTON, W.V. (AP) - West Virginia health officials have increased monitoring for a variant of the swine flu after two cases were confirmed in Mineral County.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says both cases of the H3N2v virus were detected in November in two children who attended the same day care. Both children have since recovered.
They were among 12 cases confirmed in the nation from Aug. 17 to Dec. 23.
State epidemiologist Loretta Haddy tells the Charleston Daily Mail that the Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services and its partners have increased surveillance efforts for the virus across West Virginia.
Haddy says the flu shot may not protect residents against the H3N2v virus. But she says it will help protect residents against other strains that are expected to circulate.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
