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First H1N1 flu death reported in Ravalli County
By JOHN CRAMER Ravalli Republic | Posted: Sunday, November 8, 2009 4:05 pm |
HAMILTON - Ravalli County reported its first confirmed death related to the H1N1 flu on Thursday, marking the tenth death in Montana related to the emerging virus since April.
County public health officials declined to release the victim's name, citing federal privacy laws, but they also refused to release any other information except that the person was in a high-risk category for the disease.
The categories include pregnant women, people ages 6 months to 24 years, caregivers for children under 6 months of age, health care workers and first responders and people ages 25 to 64 with a chronic illness.
Dr. Carol Calderwood, the county's public health officer, wouldn't release when the victim died, their age, where they lived or whether their relatives, co-workers, caregivers or others have exhibited symptoms.
Calderwood said the public doesn't need to know details about the death.
"I'm putting it out there, so we're not being secretive ... but I think it raises a panic if you identify it at all," she said about releasing information besides the victim's name. "We already know it (the H1N1 flu) is here. It's not going to help anyone to know who the person was."
The deceased person was the seventh state lab-confirmed case of H1N1, also known as swine flu, in Ravalli County, but public health officials said flu-like symptoms that were probably H1N1 were "very prevalent" throughout the county.
Calderwood said public health workers would notify anyone who might be at risk from exposure to the deceased victim.
"Those people, if there were close contacts, will be told for their safety," she said. "We'll be sure that anybody at risk is taken care of."
Calderwood said the person died between the onset of their symptoms and confirmation from the state lab on Thursday that it was the H1N1 flu.
The public health department will host a free walk-in vaccination clinic for high-risk groups on Nov. 14 at the First Interstate Center at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds, 100 Old Corvallis Road in Hamilton.
High-risk groups include pregnant women, people ages 6 months to 24 years, caregivers for children under 6 months of age, health care workers and first responders and people ages 25 to 64 with a chronic illness.
Public health officials said people who aren't in those groups should wait for clinics to be set up for the general public.
The county is receiving weekly shipments of vaccine, but the shipments are small and no general public clinics have been scheduled.
More information is available from the public health department hotline at 375-6679 or www.ravallicounty.mt.gov/publichealth/.
By JOHN CRAMER Ravalli Republic | Posted: Sunday, November 8, 2009 4:05 pm |
HAMILTON - Ravalli County reported its first confirmed death related to the H1N1 flu on Thursday, marking the tenth death in Montana related to the emerging virus since April.
County public health officials declined to release the victim's name, citing federal privacy laws, but they also refused to release any other information except that the person was in a high-risk category for the disease.
The categories include pregnant women, people ages 6 months to 24 years, caregivers for children under 6 months of age, health care workers and first responders and people ages 25 to 64 with a chronic illness.
Dr. Carol Calderwood, the county's public health officer, wouldn't release when the victim died, their age, where they lived or whether their relatives, co-workers, caregivers or others have exhibited symptoms.
Calderwood said the public doesn't need to know details about the death.
"I'm putting it out there, so we're not being secretive ... but I think it raises a panic if you identify it at all," she said about releasing information besides the victim's name. "We already know it (the H1N1 flu) is here. It's not going to help anyone to know who the person was."
The deceased person was the seventh state lab-confirmed case of H1N1, also known as swine flu, in Ravalli County, but public health officials said flu-like symptoms that were probably H1N1 were "very prevalent" throughout the county.
Calderwood said public health workers would notify anyone who might be at risk from exposure to the deceased victim.
"Those people, if there were close contacts, will be told for their safety," she said. "We'll be sure that anybody at risk is taken care of."
Calderwood said the person died between the onset of their symptoms and confirmation from the state lab on Thursday that it was the H1N1 flu.
The public health department will host a free walk-in vaccination clinic for high-risk groups on Nov. 14 at the First Interstate Center at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds, 100 Old Corvallis Road in Hamilton.
High-risk groups include pregnant women, people ages 6 months to 24 years, caregivers for children under 6 months of age, health care workers and first responders and people ages 25 to 64 with a chronic illness.
Public health officials said people who aren't in those groups should wait for clinics to be set up for the general public.
The county is receiving weekly shipments of vaccine, but the shipments are small and no general public clinics have been scheduled.
More information is available from the public health department hotline at 375-6679 or www.ravallicounty.mt.gov/publichealth/.
