The first case of a new form of influenza has been confirmed in Illinois.
The H3N2v strain has popped up in a child who attended the Coles County Fair. State public health director Dr. Lamar Hasbrouck says this virus is mostly transmitted via livestock and has been found in three other states as well. Hasbrouck says people should take the same precautions they would to guard against any type of flu, cold, or other illness such as washing their hands often and covering their mouth when they cough.
The new flu's severity has been compared to regular seasonal flu. The health department and state agriculture department have added hand-washing stations on the state fairgrounds where the Illinois State Fair is under way.