State confirms swine flu sickened cruise worker

The Associated Press
Published: May 12th, 2009 09:33 PM
Last Modified: May 12th, 2009 09:33 PM
State health officials say tests have confirmed that swine flu sickened a cruise ship crew member. The testing was done at the Washington State Public Laboratory and results were verified on Sunday, but it wasn't until Tuesday that the lab was formally authorized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta to issue confirmations.



The female crew member aboard the Serenade of the Seas became ill on May 2 and has since recovered after a course of treatment and CDC-recommended seven-day period of isolation.
No others aboard the ship have reported symptoms determined to be swine flu.
Alaska health officials say the case can't be considered Alaska's first case for several reasons, including that the woman became ill before entering state waters.