MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The state Health Department says a 44-year-old Minneapolis woman is recovering after contracting the first case of laboratory-confirmed influenza of the season in Minnesota.

The department says the woman did not require hospitalization. She became ill with the A Fujian (FOO´-ghee-un) strain of the influenza virus. That´s one of three strains covered by this year´s flu vaccine.

The state epidemiologist says widespread cases of the flu usually don´t surface until six to ten weeks after the first case is reported.

Dr. Harry Hull emphasized that there´s still time to deal with issues raised by the shortage of flu vaccine before the flu cases become more widespread. The state is still working with companies and health care providers to redirect flu vaccine to people who are most at risk for becoming seriously ill with the flu.