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Source: http://www.humboldtbeacon.com/ci_13209248
Local woman's death possibly related to H1N1
Humboldt Beacon
Posted: 08/26/2009 03:31:14 PM PDT
A middle-aged woman who tested positive for H1N1 Influenza died on Friday, Aug. 21 in a Humboldt County hospital. Officials report she had significant underlying health conditions, and the precise cause of her death is unknown.
?Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time,? said Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Ann Lindsay, who added that to protect the woman's privacy, no additional information about her case would be released.
Lindsay noted that while most cases of H1N1 have been mild, this resident's death reminds us that H1N1 has remained active in California through the summer and has the potential to cause severe illness.
This death is the first in Humboldt County believed to be related to H1N1. Statewide, 115 Californians have died since the outbreak began, and 1,153 have been hospitalized.
?Fatality rates are similar to that of seasonal flu,? Lindsay said, with death associated with approximately .01 percent of confirmed cases.
But that number is likely skewed by that fact that testing is largely confined to only hospitalized patients displaying flu-like symptoms, Lindsay said. As a result, it is unknown how many thousands of people have contracted the illness and recovered without complication.
Public health efforts are focused now on prevention efforts, including a vaccine currently slated for distribution at the end of October. Important information about Humboldt County's immunization plans will be released in the weeks ahead.
?The best defense at this point is still plain old common sense,? said Susan Buckley, director of the Public Health Branch of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Buckley reminded residents to practice good hygiene, including covering coughs and washing hands frequently. Additionally, she said, anyone suffering from respiratory or other flu-like symptoms is encouraged to stay home and away from other people to avoid transmission.
Local woman's death possibly related to H1N1
Humboldt Beacon
Posted: 08/26/2009 03:31:14 PM PDT
A middle-aged woman who tested positive for H1N1 Influenza died on Friday, Aug. 21 in a Humboldt County hospital. Officials report she had significant underlying health conditions, and the precise cause of her death is unknown.
?Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time,? said Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Ann Lindsay, who added that to protect the woman's privacy, no additional information about her case would be released.
Lindsay noted that while most cases of H1N1 have been mild, this resident's death reminds us that H1N1 has remained active in California through the summer and has the potential to cause severe illness.
This death is the first in Humboldt County believed to be related to H1N1. Statewide, 115 Californians have died since the outbreak began, and 1,153 have been hospitalized.
?Fatality rates are similar to that of seasonal flu,? Lindsay said, with death associated with approximately .01 percent of confirmed cases.
But that number is likely skewed by that fact that testing is largely confined to only hospitalized patients displaying flu-like symptoms, Lindsay said. As a result, it is unknown how many thousands of people have contracted the illness and recovered without complication.
Public health efforts are focused now on prevention efforts, including a vaccine currently slated for distribution at the end of October. Important information about Humboldt County's immunization plans will be released in the weeks ahead.
?The best defense at this point is still plain old common sense,? said Susan Buckley, director of the Public Health Branch of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Buckley reminded residents to practice good hygiene, including covering coughs and washing hands frequently. Additionally, she said, anyone suffering from respiratory or other flu-like symptoms is encouraged to stay home and away from other people to avoid transmission.