NORWICH – According to Chenango County Public Health Director Marcas Flindt, it was only a matter of time before Swine Flu made its way to Chenango County. Yesterday, that time came, with three laboratory-confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus being reported.

“As typical of Swine Flu cases in the United States, all three had mild cases and have recovered,” Flindt said.

An automatic call went out from the Norwich City School District on Thursday, informing all parents in the district that a student had tested positive for the H1N1 virus. Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan confirmed that one student in the middle school had contracted the virus. The student has since been medically cleared and has returned to school.

O’Sullivan explained that the school has followed cleaning procedures rigorously and school nurses are reminding students to follow good hygiene habits as the best way to prevent transmission of the flu. Anyone with questions about the situation at the school can call 334-1600 for more information.

“This is no cause for alarm,” Flindt assured. While the Health Department is continuing to monitor the situation, Flindt said currently there are no other suspected cases in Chenango County. The department has been speaking with school nurses on a daily basis, receiving information from drug stores on the types of medications that are being purchased and have been monitoring the emergency rooms, but to date, Flindt said they have seen no increase in cases with flu-like symptoms.