A confirmed case of the potentially fatal swine flu has appeared in  Fair Oaks, according to the Sacramento Bee. It's the first confirmed case in Northern California, along with two other probable cases of swine flu. 

With Southern California, Mexico, and several other countries experiencing swine flu, it was only a matter of time before the virus hit Sacramento County. Federal organizations are researching the new virus and releasing information with the number of confirmed cases in the U.S. now at 40.

While the suspected death toll of swine flu has reached 173 in Mexico in a manner of days, despite suspected global spreading of the virus it is the only country where symptoms have been anything but mild or manageable. Only one person has been hospitalized in the U.S. from the virus, but officials worry it is too early to see how fatal and widespread the disease could become.

California is among several states being giving top priority to 12 million doses of the federal stockpile of Tamiflu.

Swine flu seems to be very similar to normal flu, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials. CDC has published guides and updates on its investigation online.

According to CDC, prevention measures include: covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throwing the tissue in the trash after you use it, washing hands with soap and water,  keeping at least a 6-foot distance from sick people, using alchogol-based hand cleaners and avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth.

CDC recommends staying home from school or work while sick and seeking medical attention if certain warning signs are seen, which can be seen here.

Resources:

1. Map of Swine Flu Cases
2. Swine Flu & You
3. WHO Information