Jackson - The Amador County Public Health Department is reporting an increased incidence of influenza like illness in the past week, according to a release on Thursday. An increase in activity has also been reported by Sutter Amador Hospital’s Emergency Department and local healthcare providers. Amador County Public Health Officer Dr. Bob Hartmann said his department is “considering these cases to be H1N1 influenza, based on information from the California Department of Public Health and their surveillance activity.” Amador County Unified School Districts are closely monitoring students and keeping records for absenteeism, which are reported daily to the public health department.While individuals reporting they have H1N1 are typically diagnosed based on symptoms of influenza like illness, there has been no laboratory testing performed. The release said the State Department of Public Health guidelines dictate that specific testing for H1N1 be reserved for “hospitalized patients and deaths due to influenza like illness.” “It…remains, for the majority of people, a mild illness similar to seasonal flu,” said Lori Jagoda, Public Health Nurse. Hartmann said the best prevention for H1N1 and seasonal flu remains vaccination, washing your hands frequently, covering your cough and your sneeze and staying at home if you are sick.” To stay up-to-date on current flu and H1N1 virus and vaccine information and recommendations, visit the Amador County Public Health website on your screen. For more information, contact them by phone at 223-6407. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.