EL PASO COUNTY -- The City of El Paso Department of Public Health is investigating the death of a 59-year-old Northeast El Paso County man, who was recently hospitalized with an influenza-like illness.

Laboratory tests conducted confirmed that he had swine flu, said the health department. This is the fourth fatality in El Paso County to date associated with the novel virus.

El Paso County has confirmed 244 cases of swine flu to date. Most of these cases have been mild and did not require hospitalization, said spokeswoman Tammy Fonce-Olivas.

Citizens can protect themselves from getting and spreading the flu by:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Stay home if you are sick for seven days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.