State officials this week confirmed that a Stanislaus County resident was infected with influenza.

So far, it's the only verified case of the virus, which is ravaging other parts of the nation, to surface in the county since flu season began in October.

Instead, valley hospital emergency rooms, medical clinics and doctors' offices are seeing a steady stream of people with "flu-like symptoms."

The flu was detected in a patient during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, said Dr. John Walker, public health officer for the county.

"The fact that we've only had one report is good, since other areas are seeing dozens to hundreds of cases of the flu," said David T. Jones, director of marketing and development for the county's Health Services Agency.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta earlier this year said the flu season would be deadlier than normal because the strain being detected -- Fujian type A -- is similar to a strain that killed nearly 65,000 people during the 1998-1999 flu season.

In Colorado and Texas, health authorities are reporting large-scale outbreaks of the flu, including at least four deaths related to the virus.

Fresno-area hospitals have confirmed more than 60 cases of the flu in the past two months, when normally there would be fewer than 10.

Children's Hospital Central California in Madera County reported seeing nearly 500 children in November, and most tested positive for influenza.

Valley Oak Pediatrics clinic in Modesto was swamped with patients the day after a national news show did a story on the flu epidemic in Colorado, said Jim Costello, a physician's assistant there.

"There is no reason to panic here," he said. "We do not have the problem they have in Colorado."

Instead, the clinic and valley hospitals report seeing hundreds of people coming in with flu-like symptoms caused by another virus.

"It causes a high fever, congestion, coughs, stuffy nose," Costello said. "It is a virus, but it's not the flu."

Walker said he believes the numerous flu vaccine clinics offered by the county, hospitals and private organizations have helped.

This year, the county hosted 48 flu clinics and inoculated 8,274 residents. Last year, county officials gave shots to 7,733 people.

Emanuel Medical Center gave out about 1,500 shots this year, said Pennie Rorex, spokes- woman for the Turlock hospital.

On Tuesday, the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency was out of flu vaccine, as were several medical clinics.

"More flu vaccines were manufactured this year, but there's a shortage because more people came to get their flu shots," Walker said. "People are starting to realize the value of being inoculated."

Only two companies make flu vaccines -- Chiron and Aventis SA -- and both said it takes about two months to cultivate the medicine. Both said last week they had shipped out all their supplies.

A third vaccine, FluMist, made by MedImmune, uses a mix of live but weakened viruses to protect against flu and is taken nasally. It is only recommended for young, healthy adults.

Valley Oak has some flu vaccine but is giving that only to high-risk patients, such as those with asthma or heart problems.

"If we gave it to everyone who asked, we would quickly run out," Costello said.

The clinic also offers FluMist, but it costs $65 a dose and isn't covered by insurance, he said.

Bee staff writer Patrick Giblin can be reached at 578-2347 or pgiblin@modbee.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Reprinted by permission of the Modesto Bee.