The dead children thread - Pandemic A/H1N1 2009-2010

[Shiloh]

Re: The dead children thread

Chcuk
Source: http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=128957

Hillcrest student dies after getting flu-like symptoms

By Tommy Noel
BONNEVILLE COUNTY - A Hillcrest High School freshman has died after experiencing flu-like symptoms, and District 93 school officials are saying this a possible case of H1N1.

The male student died late Sunday night after getting sick last week. Tests were sent out and results will likely come back late Monday or Tuesday.

Parents of the student have requested an autopsy to determine exactly how their son died.

Counselors will be at the school Monday to speak with any students affected by this death. School officials have not released the name of the student.

We will be following this story throughout the day on Eyewitness News.

[Shiloh]

Re: The dead children thread

Source: http://www.tomahjournal.com/articles...03swineflu.txt

Cashton girl is area?s first H1N1 victim
By Terry Rindfleisch
.
The death of a 21-month-old Cashton girl underscores the danger H1N1 flu can pose in some cases, especially for young children, health officials said Thursday.

Aberianna Noel Dunnum died Sunday at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, the first H1N1 fatality in the area and the ninth this year in Wisconsin.

?Aberianna was a precious little girl whose death came too soon,? the Dunnum family said in a statement. ?We are mourning her loss and will not be making any public statements until we have laid her to rest.?

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. today at Presbyterian Church in Galesville, with graveside services at 2:30 p.m. at Portland Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Cashton. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to services today at the church.

Josalyn Gloyd, Gundersen Lutheran infection control specialist, said a death certainly heightens H1N1 awareness, ?but it is a kick in the stomach when it?s a child, because we see children as innocent victims.?

It could spur others to take action, whether through prevention efforts or vaccination, she said.

?Unfortunately, the H1N1 flu vaccine is not available yet to the public but should be soon,? Gloyd said.

Young children are at higher risk for complications of H1N1 flu because their immune systems are not well developed and they can be exposed to a new virus, Gloyd said.

?They have very fragile immune systems, putting them at greater risk for respiratory distress,? she said.
.

[Shiloh]

Re: The dead children thread

Source: http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/...es-354678.html

Springboro kindergartner with H1N1 dies (OHIO)

Updated 4:03 PM Monday, October 19, 2009

DAYTON ? A Clearcreek Elementary School kindergartner who tested positive for the H1N1 virus died Sunday, Oct. 18, at Children?s Medical Center of Dayton following an illness.

Dr. Scott Swope, medical director for the Warren County Health Department, said a cause of death for the 5-year-old boy had not been determined. But the boy had a respiratory-pulmonary condition for some time and also had tested positive for influenza and possibly for H1N1 before he died, Swope said.

Betsy Woods, a hospital spokeswoman, confirmed that the boy died at the hospital, but referred questions about his cause of death to the Warren County health department.

Springboro Schools Supt. David Baker said the boy had been absent from school for a couple of weeks because of an illness.

[Shiloh]

Re: The dead children thread

Source: http://www.argusleader.com/article/2.../91020002/1001

Funeral Thursday for Rapid City boy who died of H1N1

Jon Walker ? Argus Leader ? October 20, 2009


A funeral is Thursday for a Rapid City boy who died of complications from the H1N1 flu virus.

Jack Unkenholz, 8, died Sunday in Rapid City Regional Hospital, four days after his family took him to the emergency room with flu symptoms. He had been scheduled for a flu shot last Friday.

Jack was diagnosed with Menkes syndrome soon after birth, which caused profound delays in mental and physical development. His mother said he still was an active third-grader who communicated with smiles and gestures.

?You?ve done better things than walk and talk. You?ve taught me peace and grace and love in its truest and purest form,? Tasha Unkenholz said of her son.

She and her husband, Eric, a Rapid City dentist, learned of their son?s disabilities when he was 4 months old. They said they knew his catching the flu would be serious but that his death still was a shock. Their other two children, Elise, 5, and Collin, 2, also caught the virus shortly before Jack, they said.

His death is the third in South Dakota attributed to H1N1. The others are adults in their 30s and 40s.

Jack?s service will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday in Canyon Lake United Methodist Church, with Kirk Funeral Home taking care of arrangements.

[Shiloh]

Re: The dead children thread

Source: http://www.fox4kc.com/wdaf-11-year-o...,3474207.story

11-Year-Old Boy Dies, Swine Flu Suspected
Posted by: Sarah Clark, Web Producer
October 20, 2009
[ATTACH]6393[/ATTACH]

http://www.kmbc.com/news/21342953/detail.html

OAK GROVE, MO - An 11-year-old Oak Grove, Mo. boy died of sudden illness. Jordan Smith had just turned 11 on Thursday, Oct. 15. Three days later he passed away.

An Oak Grove parent emailed FOX 4 saying she was told his death was from H1N1, but officials have not confirmed that. So far, there has been no official ruling on what caused his death. The Jackson County medical examiner is scheduled to perform an autopsy.

Jordan was a fifth grader at Maple Elementary in the Oak Grove school district and was from a large family, leaving behind both his parents and five siblings.

Jordan's memorial is set for Friday, Oct. 23. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. with services at 2 p.m. at Royer Funeral Home in Grain Valley. Jordan's parents request that instead of sending flowers, make a memorial contributions to Children's Mercy Hospital.

[Shiloh]

Re: The dead children thread

Source: http://www.fresnobee.com/updates/story/1679324.html


H1N1 kills Hanford boy
Published online on Monday, Oct. 19, 2009
By Pablo Lopez / The Fresno Bee

A 6-year-old Hanford boy has died of the H1N1 influenza virus, the Kings County Health Department reported Monday.

The boy was not identified. He had many medical problems, but the H1N1 infection was the main contributor to his death, said Keith Winkler, the county's health director. The boy died Sunday night at Children's Hospital Central California in Madera County. He was admitted to the hospital Oct. 2.

His death is the second one from H1N1 in Kings County. The first death, reported last month, was a retired woman. She was not identified.

Seasonal flu kills 4,000 Californians a year, said Dr. Gil Chavez, director for the Center for Infectious Diseases at the California Department of Public Health. Swine flu has caused 699 people in the state to be hospitalized and led to 80 deaths in California as of July 30.

[Shiloh]

Re: The dead children thread

Source: http://www.kctv5.com/news/21347684/detail.html

Mother Mourns Son Lost To H1N1

Video
POSTED: 8:31 am CDT October 20, 2009
UPDATED: 9:15 am CDT October 20, 2009

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. -- A Leavenworth mother said she believes the H1N1 vaccine could have saved her son's life.

Brandon McLilly died from complications from the H1N1 virus. Brandon had Down syndrome, asthma and other respiratory issues.

"This virus is a monster," Brandon's mother, Carmen McLilly, said. "We thought, 'OK, that's what did it, his asthma and issues.' But now we're finding that healthy people are dying."

Monday night in Leavenworth, those working directly with patients in the health care field lined up to get vaccinated.

Some said they were worried about the vaccine, but most doctors said the risks from the vaccine are quite small.

One woman said she was worried about the vaccine, but even more worried about what would happen to her family if she died from the virus.

"I could not live with the possibility I could leave my 2-year-old son and newborn infant and my husband without me because I got the flu," speech pathologist Misty Coleman said.

[Shiloh]

Re: The dead children thread

Source: http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?id=1400&nid=23435



Edhat Santa Barbara : Second Swine Flu death in county reported

Second Swine Flu death in county reported
updated: Oct 20, 2009, 9:40 AM

Source: County Public Health

The Public Health Department is sad to report a second fatality due to the pandemic H1N1 flu in Santa Barbara County over the weekend.

This was a 4 year old boy who had underlying medical conditions. Michele Mickiewicz, Interim Department Director, noted "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this very difficult time. The loss of a child is a tremendous tragedy."

Children under two years of age and children and adolescents with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, and diabetes, are at increased risk of severe illness from the H1N1 Flu or swine flu. "The pattern of illness from H1N1 flu is very different from what we see with the seasonal flu. H1N1 flu is causing more serious illness in those under 40 while the seasonal flu is more likely to impact older people," explained Santa Barbara County Health Officer, Dr. Peter Hasler.

"We recommend contacting your doctor as soon as possible when a child under age two, a pregnant woman or a person of any age with chronic lung, heart, neurological, immune or other disorders becomes ill with fever and cough," he emphasized.

With an increase in the number of severe cases of H1N1 in our county, many residents are asking about the availability of H1N1 vaccine. Many health care providers in Santa Barbara County have received very limited doses of the attenuated nasal spray H1N1 vaccine (Flu Mist). This vaccine is being delivered to healthy children between the ages of 2 and 9.

The federal government expects there will be enough H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine for everyone who wants it. It will be shipped in batches over a period of many weeks. The initial shipments of vaccine are for groups of people who are at greatest risk of getting severely ill with H1N1 flu. This includes young children (6 months - 4 years), pregnant women, and people between the ages of 5 and 24 with chronic medical conditions. Healthcare workers will also receive the vaccine early in order to keep our health system working for everyone. This flu is least likely to impact people over 64 years of age.

As a result, this group will receive the vaccine a little later than other more vulnerable groups. The Centers for Disease Control expects there will be adequate vaccine for everyone. For additional information, go to the Public Health Department flu website www.sbcfluinfo.org, call 888-722-6358, or follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/SBCPublicHealth.

[Treyfish]

Re: The dead children thread

Hillcrest student's death possibly from swine flu
Published: Monday, October 19, 2009 11:41 PM MDT
The Eastern Idaho Public Health District has confirmed the deaths of three Bonneville County residents from flu-like symptoms over the weekend.

The deaths included a 15-year old Hillcrest High School student from Ammon. The student died Sunday after being admitted to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in respiratory arrest. The H1N1 flu is suspected as the cause of the death although laboratory test results are still pending...http://rexburgstandardjournal.com/ar...20/news/29.txt

[Treyfish]

Re: The dead children thread

South Dakota - 8-year-old boy dies of H1N1 flu

October 20, 2009
[ATTACH]6390[/ATTACH]

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/mobile/article_70a87736-bd0f-11de-a6c2-001cc4c03286.html

An 8-year-old boy is the third South Dakotan to die of H1N1 flu, his family said Monday, the same day the state began distributing 16,000 more doses of vaccine to fight the virus.

Jack Unkenholz, a third-grader in Rapid City, contracted the flu after his two younger siblings also picked up the virus. He died Sunday at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

His death comes as South Dakota health officials scramble to get the H1N1 vaccine to local clinics to protect targeted segments of the population.

Officials began Monday to ship the 16,000 new doses to 280 clinics and hospitals across South Dakota. That brings the total to 33,000 doses to reach South Dakota so far, less than one-tenth needed and creating a wider gap for people seeking protection.

"It's very frustrating for everybody involved, especially the people who are sick," state epidemiologist Lon Kightlinger said.
Families visiting clinics find a long wait to see doctors and are distressed to learn the vaccine is not available. Officials at some clinics, such as McGreevy in Sioux Falls, are asking patients to wear masks as they wait.

"It's hard to put a good spin on this, other than it's amazing we have a vaccine itself. It's very good the pharmaceutical companies are able to develop it as fast as they did," Kightlinger said.

South Dakota's first two H1N1 deaths were residents in their 30s and 40s.

'We never thought we were going to lose him'
Tasha Unkenholz, Jack's mother, said her son was diagnosed at 4 months old with Menkes syndrome and had physical and mental developmental delays. She said her other son, Collin, 2, and daughter, Elise, 5, got the flu before Jack. Jack woke up sick Monday of last week and was taken to the emergency room at Rapid City Regional on Wednesday. He had been scheduled for a flu shot last Friday. He died Sunday on his mother's 37th birthday.

Jack couldn't speak but communicated well with a smile and his hands, and was able to hike with his family and go on vacations and roller coaster rides, his mother said. Still, his condition made him vulnerable.

"We knew if he got it, it was going to be a tough battle. We never thought we were going to lose him," she said.

The state has targeted 151,000 residents as fitting into the first tier of people needing the vaccine. The supplies received so far from the federal government would take care of about one-fifth of them. That group includes pregnant women, parents and caretakers of infants, children age 6 months to 4 years, emergency and health care workers, and children 5 to 18 with medical complications.

The next group, other children 5 to 18, college students and many groups of adults, would bring the need to 430,000 people. That's 54 percent of the state's 800,000 population.
Most of the first group and all of the second group still have a few weeks, if not several weeks, to wait for a vaccine.

"I anticipate we'll be giving vaccines well into December for H1N1," said Judy Buseman, public health director for the city of Sioux Falls.

Kightlinger said that for most South Dakotans, the operative word is wait.
"Don't go rushing to a clinic if you're not in a priority group," he said.
Overflow crowds at area clinicsClinics have been overflowing with traffic.

Marina Sazanov, 34, her son Alick, 12, and daughter Crystal, 6, were among 40 people waiting for service Monday afternoon at McGreevy Clinic in Sioux Falls. Alick, a seventh-grader at Brandon Valley, waited with a mask over his mouth. He has had a fever, headache and a cough for a week.

"It doesn't get any better. It's just getting worse," his mother said. She said she was looking for treatment but not the vaccine. "I have no idea about the new shot. I don't want to try it on my family," she said....
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20091020/NEWS/910200311/1001

[Treyfish]

Re: The dead children thread

DeKalb County Records First H1N1 Death

Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009 @05:40am CDT


DeKalb County records its first swine flu death. A student who attended Sandwich High School last school year died Sunday of the H1N1 virus.
The DeKalb County health department is investigating if the student had underlying health conditions. The teen did not attend Sandwich High School this year because of the illness, so officials say the school will remain open.http://mystateline.com/content/fulltext_news?cid=108682#

[Treyfish]

Re: The dead children thread

Talk of teen death, virus sweeps closely-knit town

October 20, 2009



SANDWICH -- A Sandwich High School student who died Sunday had a confirmed case of the H1N1 virus, the DeKalb County Health Department announced Monday.

The boy, who died at a suburban hospital outside of the county, is the first DeKalb County resident to die with an infection of the 2009 H1N1 strain, the department said. No one in an official capacity has said the H1N1 virus was the cause of the teen's death.

The family of the victim could not be reached to confirm the boy's identity.

The Health Department also did not identify the victim, and neither did the Sandwich School District, although letters were sent home to all students in the district about a student's death related to the H1N1 virus. The district also sent out automated phone messages to students' families.

The teen attended Sandwich High last school year, but had not attended classes yet this year due to illness, the Health Department said. Sandwich schools started Aug. 21.

The Health Department is investigating whether the teen had any underlying medical condition that contributed to his death.

"This individual had been hospitalized so (he) really did not have contact with the public," said Karen Grush, the department's public health administrator.

On Monday, friends, classmates and parents in the tightly-knit community were reeling over the death of a funny, outspoken and popular teen.

Jaclyn Ciontea, who was good friends with the teen, said his death was unexpected.

"Last I knew he was doing very well," said the 17-year-old senior. "He **** out with a lot of people. He had a ton of friends."

Although he did not play sports, friends say he was an exceptional skateboarder.

Ciontea said she found out about his death on Sunday morning via text message from her brother, who is in the same grade as the teen.

Another friend, Mitch Galles, 16, of Sandwich, also said he found out about his friend's death through text messages swirling throughout the high school community.

Then at Sandwich High School at the close of classes Monday, teachers distributed pamphlets from the Centers for Disease Control, and letters to share with their families.

According to Ciontea, her teacher said, "You are most likely aware by now, but one of our students has passed."

The note sent home read in part: "At this very sad time, the District extends sympathy to the family. Please know the District will be providing grief counseling to those in need."

Another peer, Matthew Daly, 16, said, "Everyone was really down (at school). A couple people were crying."

Daly said he met the teen three years ago through a youth group at Harvest Chapel in Sandwich.

The Sandwich teen's death comes less than two weeks after Naperville North High School freshman Michelle Fahle, 14, died after contracting H1N1. A DuPage County coroner's office autopsy later showed a serious and undiagnosed heart condition had contributed to Fahle's death.... http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/index.html

[Treyfish]

Re: The dead children thread

11-Year-Old Boy Dies, Swine Flu Suspected

Posted by: Sarah Clark, Web Producer
October 20, 2009

OAK GROVE, MO - An 11-year-old Oak Grove, Mo. boy died of sudden illness. Jordan Smith had just turned 11 on Thursday, Oct. 15. Three days later he passed away.

An Oak Grove parent emailed FOX 4 saying she was told his death was from H1N1, but officials have not confirmed that. So far, there has been no official ruling on what caused his death. The Jackson County medical examiner is scheduled to perform an autopsy.

Jordan was a fifth grader at Maple Elementary in the Oak Grove school district and was from a large family, leaving behind both his parents and five siblings.

Jordan's memorial is set for Friday, Oct. 23. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. with services at 2 p.m. at Royer Funeral Home in Grain Valley. Jordan's parents request that instead of sending flowers, make a memorial contributions to Children's Mercy Hospital.

http://www.fox4kc.com/wdaf-11-year-old-death-102009,0,3474207.story

[Treyfish]

Re: The dead children thread

Mother Mourns Son Lost To H1N1


UPDATED: 9:15 am CDT October 20, 2009

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. -- A Leavenworth mother said she believes the H1N1 vaccine could have saved her son's life.

Brandon McLilly died from complications from the H1N1 virus. Brandon had Down syndrome, asthma and other respiratory issues.

"This virus is a monster," Brandon's mother, Carmen McLilly, said. "We thought, 'OK, that's what did it, his asthma and issues.' But now we're finding that healthy people are dying."

Monday night in Leavenworth, those working directly with patients in the health care field lined up to get vaccinated.

Some said they were worried about the vaccine, but most doctors said the risks from the vaccine are quite small.

One woman said she was worried about the vaccine, but even more worried about what would happen to her family if she died from the virus.

"I could not live with the possibility I could leave my 2-year-old son and newborn infant and my husband without me because I got the flu," speech pathologist Misty Coleman said.

http://www.kctv5.com/news/21347684/detail.html

[Treyfish]

Re: The dead children thread

Second Swine Flu death in county reported
updated: Oct 20, 2009, 9:40 AM

Source: County Public Health

The Public Health Department is sad to report a second fatality due to the pandemic H1N1 flu in Santa Barbara County over the weekend.

This was a 4 year old boy who had underlying medical conditions. Michele Mickiewicz, Interim Department Director, noted "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this very difficult time. The loss of a child is a tremendous tragedy."

Children under two years of age and children and adolescents with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, and diabetes, are at increased risk of severe illness from the H1N1 Flu or swine flu. "The pattern of illness from H1N1 flu is very different from what we see with the seasonal flu. H1N1 flu is causing more serious illness in those under 40 while the seasonal flu is more likely to impact older people," explained Santa Barbara County Health Officer, Dr. Peter Hasler.

"We recommend contacting your doctor as soon as possible when a child under age two, a pregnant woman or a person of any age with chronic lung, heart, neurological, immune or other disorders becomes ill with fever and cough," he emphasized.

[snip]

http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?id=1400&nid=23435