By KALEY CONNER

kconner@dailynews.net

Confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu virus have been reported in several western Kansas counties, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced Wednesday.

In northwest Kansas, seven individuals have become sick with the virus in five more counties: Logan, Rawlins, Sheridan, Sherman and Thomas.

An earlier case was confirmed in a Gove County adult.

Local health officials are urging residents to take extra caution to prevent spreading the illness.

"It's the same advice that goes with any sort of flu," said Melanie Cooper, nurse administrator of the Sheridan County Health Department. "Common sense sort of things -- wash your hands, if you have a fever, an influenza-like illness, call ahead so the clinic can make preparations."

It's also important for individuals to cover their mouths during coughs or sneezes.

The county's first case of swine flu was confirmed this week in a child. While details were not released, Cooper said the family has chosen to isolate themselves at home.

No Sheridan County residents have been hospitalized, but health providers are continuing to monitor the situation, she said.

Officials are beginning to investigate how the virus might have found its way into the county, but Cooper said summer activities likely could be a factor.

"I think we have people who are traveling," she said. "That may be what some of our cases are, is people are traveling, and they're getting together for different things, different events."

Given the circumstances, Cooper also encouraged residents to avoid large crowds.

Farther north, the first case of swine flu in Rawlins County has been confirmed, also in a child.

Education and prevention efforts are continuing, as local health providers work to contain the virus, said Deanna Freeman, administrator of Rawlins County Health Center.

The family affected by the virus has entered voluntarily isolation, Freeman said, noting the county received notification from the state around noon Wednesday.

Individuals suffering from this strain of the flu are prescribed medications to help combat the symptoms, which include a fever, body aches, respiratory congestion and a sore throat.

"I think the symptoms they described are the ones we're seeing," Freeman said.

She added that health care providers also take preventative measures to protect themselves when working with potential flu patients.

In fact, county officials completed a pandemic trial as part of ongoing emergency preparedness training just last week, she said.

However, Freeman remains hopeful that one case will be the extent of the illness in Rawlins County.

"Everyone, I think, has just really been wonderful in trying to contain it," she said.