INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The state Department of Health has opened a call center to answer questions about influenza in the wake of five human flu cases being linked to hogs.

The health department announced this week a case of variant influenza A had been confirmed in southern Indiana's Jackson County after four cases were previously linked to the LaPorte County Fair in northwestern Indiana. The flu strain can be transmitted between swine and people, and human infections are most likely to occur in people near live infected pigs.

The health department recommends people should wash their hands frequently and should never eat, drink or put anything in their mouth when visiting animal areas.