Region – While Amador County has experienced only one reported case of H1N1 virus, or swine flu, other counties in the region are continuing to report cases. According to San Joaquin County’s public health service agency, test results came back Thursday as positive for swine flu in a 5-year-old Stockton girl, adding to the four confirmed and five probables already existing in the county. Calaveras and El Dorado counties each have one confirmed case, according to state public health reports. As of Wednesday, 256 confirmed and 219 probables have been reported in California. So far, no deaths in California have been attributed the deadly respiratory disease that has caused a 10 percent death rate in its country of origin, Mexico. Nearly one hundred deaths have been confirmed there. At Wednesday’s School Board meeting, Health Officer Dr. Bob Hartmann recapped Amador County health officials’ efforts in recent weeks to monitor and prevent the further spread of the virus in our area. He reported that Amador’s only case – an Ione man who recently returned from Mexico – was mild and the patient is doing well. The biggest concern for health officials is in the future. He said agencies will be monitoring the flu as it moves south and returns north next winter. He said the virus could mutate and return more deadly. As of Thursday, there have been 4,298 confirmed cases reported nationwide in 47 states, including three deaths. Worldwide, there have been 6,497 confirmed cases reported in 33 countries. The state Department of Public Health said public health authorities in California have spent about $10 million so far monitoring the H1N1 flu as of May 13. Chief Deputy Public Health Director Bonnie Sorensen said county health departments have spent about $8 million and the state about $2 million. Most went for overtime, flu testing equipment and materials. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.