The first Minnesotan suspected of having swine flu did not require hospitalization and is expected to make a full recovery, officials said this morning. A lab sample has been sent to federal officials to determine if it indeed is the swine flu strain that has killed 160 people in Mexico and is spreading around the world.

“We expected to have cases of the H1N1 virus in Minnesota, and we have plans and preparations in place to respond appropriately and aggressively,” Gov. Tim Pawlenty said at a press conference this morning.  “This is certainly cause for concern, but not panic.”

State health officials are still calling the case -- from the Cold Spring area --  “probable,” meaning that the MDH lab has confirmed the virus as type A influenza, but the strain cannot be identified using lab tests available here.

The individual was linked with Rocori Middle School in Cold Spring. Both Rocori Middle School and St. Boniface Elementary, which share some facilities with Rocori Middle School, are closed today.

Anyone who has traveled within the past week to Mexico or other areas where the flu strain is circulating and develops fever along with other flu symptoms should call their health-care provider.