WATERLOO - A suspected case of swine influenza in Iowa has appeared in Black Hawk County.

An adult showed up in a local hospital late Tuesday with flu symptoms and a fever more than 100 degrees after traveling to a U.S. state with a confirmed case of swine flu, Black Hawk County health department officials said.

A sample of the virus is one of 159 in Iowa being tested this week at University of Iowa Hygienic Labs. Results won't be known for at least a day, county health officials said.

"I imagine we're just one of many cases submitted (for testing) in Iowa," said Bruce Meisinger, disease surveillance manager for the health department. "I'm confident in saying we're probably not the first in the state."

Public health officials expected the disease to soon appear in Iowa once health care providers started looking for cases on Monday. Previous infections may have slipped through the cracks because U.S. cases have been relatively mild and easily mistaken for more common influenza strains.

Local hospitals said they have seen an influx of people concerned about flu and cold symptoms. Hospital officials emphasized that people should only see a physician if they exhibit flu symptoms that includes a fever of more than 100 degrees, and recently traveled to a state with a confirmed swine flu case.

To help prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus, health officials urge frequent hand washing and ask people to cover coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or tissue. Swine flu cannot be contracted by eating pork or any other food.

Federal health officials said more severe illnesses are beginning to appear. The first swine flu death in the U.S. occurred Tuesday after a 23-month-old Mexican boy traveled to Texas for treatment. Ten states have reported 91 confirmed cases, and has resulted in several hospitalizations.

Health officials noted about 35,000 people, primarily the sick, young, and elderly, die every year during a normal influenza season.

Serious swine flu cases have existed in Mexico for several weeks, where 159 people have died after contracting the virus. As in previous swine flu outbreaks, the disease has hit healthy adults particularly hard.

Wednesday morning Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the state will close two schools after health officials detected the first probable swine flu case in Cold Spring, a town 60 miles northwest of Minneapolis.

President Barack Obama has asked Congress for $1.5 billion in emergency funding. He urged communities on Wednesday to close schools where suspected swine flu cases exist.

Black Hawk County officials said they have been in contact with local schools to prepare for the scenario.

Meisinger, the county's disease surveillance manager, said additional measures could include: Canceling public events such as sports games, as well as closing child care facilities and public gathering places such as malls.

Swine flu may be of concern for some time, county health officials said. Past flu pandemics have followed a pattern of scattered outbreaks followed by a widespread pandemic months later, usually in the fall.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Jens Manuel Krogstad at (319) 291-1580 or jens.krogstad@wcfcourier.com.