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San Benito Reports First Swine Flu Death
Posted: Sep 15, 2009 05:16 PM
Updated: Sep 15, 2009 05:18 PM
San Benito County health officials learned today of the death of a County resident from complications of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. This 80 year old female was hospitalized in another County and died on September 14, 2009. Her death is the first reported in San Benito County involving a person with the H1N1 virus.
"First and foremost, we would like to convey our deepest sympathy to the family of this patient," stated Dr. Elizabeth Falade, County Health Officer. "A death in our community reminds us that the H1N1 virus is widespread and among us. Although this should not be cause for alarm, everyone should remain vigilant in helping to prevent the spread of the flu, either from the yearly seasonal or the new H1N1 flu virus."
The vast majority of cases of H1N1 influenza have mild or moderate illness, and most patients fully recover. "However," Dr. Falade adds, "the tragic California H1N1 deaths this spring and summer reveal that we are facing a global influenza pandemic, and we need to continue precautions to protect ourselves, our families, our co-workers, and our community."
Effective July 16, the California Department of Public Health changed the reporting requirements for individual case reporting for H1N1 influenza by local health jurisdictions (Local Health Departments). New reporting requirements will track only hospitalized and fatal cases. As of September 15, 2009, there have been a total of 1,806 hospitalized cases and 152 deaths in California. In San Benito County, there have been eight hospitalized cases with one death.
A vaccine against the novel H1N1 virus is in production and should be available by late fall-early winter. It is important that county residents take the following precautions to help prevent the spread of the virus.
* Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbows, sleeves, or with a tissue. Dispose of the tissue after each use. Coughing into hands can spread germs to others.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, even after washing your hands.
* Avoid close contact with sick people.
* Stay home and away from others if you are sick.
The symptoms of H1N1 influenza are similar to the symptoms of regular or seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 influenza.
If a person develops these symptoms, here are some simple steps to follow:
* It is not necessary to be tested for the virus in most cases.
* Contact your healthcare provider by phone, especially if the ill person is an infant or a
young child, if you are pregnant or have a health condition such as diabetes, heart
disease, asthma, or emphysema.
* Ask your healthcare provider about medications that may help relieve the symptoms of
the flu.
* Stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever
(100? F or 37.8?C), or signs of a fever without use of fever-reducing medications.
* Get plenty of rest and drink clear liquids.
* Avoid close contact with others.
San Benito County will be holding a free influenza vaccine clinic on November 3, 2009 at the Veteran's Memorial Building in downtown Hollister. Anyone wishing to receive a vaccination against SEASONAL flu may do so at that time. At least initially, vaccine against the H1N1 virus will be preferentially given to children, pregnant women, health care workers and people with underlying medical conditions as the vaccine becomes available. Seniors and healthy middle-aged people should get the SEASONAL flu shot or flumist. Your own doctor may be offering SEASONAL and H1N1 flu vaccine as well.
For more information about the H1N1 virus, please visit The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov.
Posted: Sep 15, 2009 05:16 PM
Updated: Sep 15, 2009 05:18 PM
San Benito County health officials learned today of the death of a County resident from complications of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. This 80 year old female was hospitalized in another County and died on September 14, 2009. Her death is the first reported in San Benito County involving a person with the H1N1 virus.
"First and foremost, we would like to convey our deepest sympathy to the family of this patient," stated Dr. Elizabeth Falade, County Health Officer. "A death in our community reminds us that the H1N1 virus is widespread and among us. Although this should not be cause for alarm, everyone should remain vigilant in helping to prevent the spread of the flu, either from the yearly seasonal or the new H1N1 flu virus."
The vast majority of cases of H1N1 influenza have mild or moderate illness, and most patients fully recover. "However," Dr. Falade adds, "the tragic California H1N1 deaths this spring and summer reveal that we are facing a global influenza pandemic, and we need to continue precautions to protect ourselves, our families, our co-workers, and our community."
Effective July 16, the California Department of Public Health changed the reporting requirements for individual case reporting for H1N1 influenza by local health jurisdictions (Local Health Departments). New reporting requirements will track only hospitalized and fatal cases. As of September 15, 2009, there have been a total of 1,806 hospitalized cases and 152 deaths in California. In San Benito County, there have been eight hospitalized cases with one death.
A vaccine against the novel H1N1 virus is in production and should be available by late fall-early winter. It is important that county residents take the following precautions to help prevent the spread of the virus.
* Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbows, sleeves, or with a tissue. Dispose of the tissue after each use. Coughing into hands can spread germs to others.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, even after washing your hands.
* Avoid close contact with sick people.
* Stay home and away from others if you are sick.
The symptoms of H1N1 influenza are similar to the symptoms of regular or seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 influenza.
If a person develops these symptoms, here are some simple steps to follow:
* It is not necessary to be tested for the virus in most cases.
* Contact your healthcare provider by phone, especially if the ill person is an infant or a
young child, if you are pregnant or have a health condition such as diabetes, heart
disease, asthma, or emphysema.
* Ask your healthcare provider about medications that may help relieve the symptoms of
the flu.
* Stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever
(100? F or 37.8?C), or signs of a fever without use of fever-reducing medications.
* Get plenty of rest and drink clear liquids.
* Avoid close contact with others.
San Benito County will be holding a free influenza vaccine clinic on November 3, 2009 at the Veteran's Memorial Building in downtown Hollister. Anyone wishing to receive a vaccination against SEASONAL flu may do so at that time. At least initially, vaccine against the H1N1 virus will be preferentially given to children, pregnant women, health care workers and people with underlying medical conditions as the vaccine becomes available. Seniors and healthy middle-aged people should get the SEASONAL flu shot or flumist. Your own doctor may be offering SEASONAL and H1N1 flu vaccine as well.
For more information about the H1N1 virus, please visit The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov.
