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Source: http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/ci_13256092
BREAKING NEWS: Swine flu claims second victim
By TIFFANY REVELLE
The Daily Journal
Updated: 09/02/2009 05:35:33 PM PDT
A 44-year-old woman died Wednesday afternoon of complications related to H1N1 "swine flu" pneumonia, according to Mendocino County Health Officer Dr. Marvin Trotter.
The woman, a Mendocino County resident whose name was not released, was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Ukiah Valley Medical Center at the beginning of last week, and had been on a ventilator.
"She had significant underlying medical problems that I think caused her death," Trotter said. "She died because she contracted influenza."
Officials continue to urge the public to get vaccination shots for the seasonal flu and for H1N1 flu.
Dr. Charlie Evans, assistant public health officer, said the H1N1 vaccine is still being developed and won't be available until October.
Evans said the shots will be for people at greater risk of contracting the H1N1 flu, including pregnant women, health care workers who work with sick patients, emergency services workers, children between six months and two years of age, child care providers who care for children in that age range, and people between the ages of 19 and 27 who have asthma, diabetes or other chronic illness.
In addition, Trotter said people at higher risk of getting H1N1 should talk to their doctor about getting a pneumonia vaccination.
"A third of the patients who have H1N1 also have strep or staph pneumonia," Trotter said. "Just like with the seasonal flu, this is something they (high-risk patients) should do to protect themselves." Seasonal flu shots are available at Safeway and Walgreens in Ukiah, but not until the end of September at the Mendocino Public Health Branch, according to spokesperson Theresa McNerlin.
She said adults and children ages 11 and older can get the regular flu vaccine at Safeway; adults and children ages 9 and older can get the vaccine at Walgreens.
As reported in the Daly Journal, the seasonal flu vaccine is expected to be available on and after Sept. 30 at Rite Aide, Oct. 8-10 at Raley's Pharmacy, and "soon" at Myer's Apothecary.
Tiffany Revelle can be reached at udjtr@pacific.net, or at 468-3523.
BREAKING NEWS: Swine flu claims second victim
By TIFFANY REVELLE
The Daily Journal
Updated: 09/02/2009 05:35:33 PM PDT
A 44-year-old woman died Wednesday afternoon of complications related to H1N1 "swine flu" pneumonia, according to Mendocino County Health Officer Dr. Marvin Trotter.
The woman, a Mendocino County resident whose name was not released, was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Ukiah Valley Medical Center at the beginning of last week, and had been on a ventilator.
"She had significant underlying medical problems that I think caused her death," Trotter said. "She died because she contracted influenza."
Officials continue to urge the public to get vaccination shots for the seasonal flu and for H1N1 flu.
Dr. Charlie Evans, assistant public health officer, said the H1N1 vaccine is still being developed and won't be available until October.
Evans said the shots will be for people at greater risk of contracting the H1N1 flu, including pregnant women, health care workers who work with sick patients, emergency services workers, children between six months and two years of age, child care providers who care for children in that age range, and people between the ages of 19 and 27 who have asthma, diabetes or other chronic illness.
In addition, Trotter said people at higher risk of getting H1N1 should talk to their doctor about getting a pneumonia vaccination.
"A third of the patients who have H1N1 also have strep or staph pneumonia," Trotter said. "Just like with the seasonal flu, this is something they (high-risk patients) should do to protect themselves." Seasonal flu shots are available at Safeway and Walgreens in Ukiah, but not until the end of September at the Mendocino Public Health Branch, according to spokesperson Theresa McNerlin.
She said adults and children ages 11 and older can get the regular flu vaccine at Safeway; adults and children ages 9 and older can get the vaccine at Walgreens.
As reported in the Daly Journal, the seasonal flu vaccine is expected to be available on and after Sept. 30 at Rite Aide, Oct. 8-10 at Raley's Pharmacy, and "soon" at Myer's Apothecary.
Tiffany Revelle can be reached at udjtr@pacific.net, or at 468-3523.