Onondaga County: 4th death

[Chuck]

http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story/Health-Dept-confirms-H1N1-flu-death-Flu-activity/DF3st3rrBUCwk31tzcRQ5w.cspx

Health Dept. confirms H1N1 flu death; Flu activity spreading

Last Update: 1:51 pm

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) ? The Onondaga County Health Department says a fourth person has died as a result of the H1N1 Swine Flu. The health commissioner says the adult was at increased risk for complications due to influenza.

Dr. Cynthia Morrow did not release any additional information about the victim, citing patient privacy laws.

The health department says after minimum influenza-like activity over the summer, they have received an increase in the number of influenza-like illness in the community. The health department says its likely much of the activity is related to the H1N1 virus.

?Since novel H1N1 flu is now known to be widespread in New York State, confirmatory testing for novel H1N1 flu is now being done by the New York State Health Department on a case-by-case basis to track the severity of the virus,? the Health Department said in a statement released.


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[Chuck]

Re: Onondaga County: 4th death

http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story/Woman-in-Onondaga-Co-dies-from-H1N1-virus-flu/DF3st3rrBUCwk31tzcRQ5w.cspx

Woman in Onondaga Co. dies from H1N1 virus; flu spreading

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) ? NewsChannel 9 has learned that a young, pregnant woman in Onondaga County has died from complications due to the H1N1 virus. Her baby survived.

Her case is one of two confirmed cases in the county after a lull in activity this summer.

The county is getting several reports of flu-like activity, and this death we've learned of Thursday is the first swine flu-related death since June.

Pregnant women are at greater risk for complications from swine flu.

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr.Cynthia Morrow says she's hearing from people who live in the county and from several doctors about flu-like symptoms showing up; those symptoms are a fever higher than 100 degrees with a cough or sore throat.

Dr. Morrow says those are the symptoms you need to watch for -- they've learned, since the spring, that you can not and should not rely on rapid flu tests at the doctor's office.

?The CDC released a study that found 10 percent to 70 percent of people who had the rapid flu test may have had a negative result even though they had the flu -- so that means worst case, it could have missed 9 out of every 10 people with the flu and people need to know that just because you have a rapid flu test and it comes up negative doesn't mean you don't have the flu,? Morrow says.

Morrow says flu activity is likely increasing now with schools back in session and more people gathering in large groups; she hasn't heard of many cases in schools but saw in the southern U.S., from schools that went back earlier this summer, that it took the kids being back for a week or so for flu activity to increase.

If you have that fever higher than 100 degrees with a cough or sore throat, the CDC says you'll want to talk to your doctor about taking Tamiflu or Relenza; those have proven very effective in treating it.

The H1N1 vaccine isn't expected to be available until mid-October. If you develop symptoms, the county health department reminds you to stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever goes away.
Copyright 2009 Newport Television LLC All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.