Announcement

**Pathfinder** · October 2, 2009, 09:58 PM

Re: Tulsa County Teenager Dies From Flu Virus

Teen's mother speaks out after son dies of suspected H1N1 virus

Last Update: 9:16 pm

A 16-year old East Central student has passed away from Influenza Type A. The health department suspects it may be Tulsa County's first deadly case of the H1N1 virus, also known as the Swine Flu.

Over the course of just two days, LaTowyn Gaston went from being a healthy teenager to fighting for his life. He passed away Thursday night in the ICU at St. Francis Hospital.

His mother hopes her story may help other families, by making them aware of just how dangerous this virus can be.

"He was like my little guardian angel. He would look out for me," says Dwana Gaston.

Her son LaTowyn was a healthy, strong teenage boy. Then suddenly on Tuesday, the day before his 16th birthday, he complained of flu-like symptoms.

By Wednesday his body started shutting down." And everything just got worse. His kidneys shut down. And then his heart stopped pumping on its own." Just 48 hours after her son first became ill, he died.

While more lab tests will need to be done to confirm that LaTowyn died of the H1N1 strain, health officials suspect he is the second Oklahoma child to die from the virus.

Dwana urges parents to seek medical attention for their children immediately if they show flu-like symptoms, and make sure they don't expose other kids to the virus by allowing them to go to school. "If your child is sick, don't send them to school because you can infect other kids. And other kids may not be able to take the flu. Some kids can and some kids can't."

Gaston wants kids to wash their hands often and carry hand sanitizer, so they can't catch or spread the virus. She says the more people who know how dangerous the H1N1 virus can be, the more lives her son's story may save. "If there's two people that listen, that's two people may not have to go through what I am going through."

Gaston was honored with a moment of silence at Friday's night East Central football game.

Funeral services will be held next Friday at the Biglow Funeral Home at 1414 N. Norfolk Avenue at 11am.

Next week, 34,000 doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine should arrive at the Tulsa Health Department. More doses will follow over the next few months.

Page Not Found

http://www.kjrh.com/news/local/story/Teens-mother-speaks-out-after-son-dies-of/6bQV_8KVeEmN1kzXEk8t9Q.cspx

**prepdeb** · October 3, 2009, 04:33 AM

Re: Tulsa County Teenager Dies From Flu Virus

O my, this is the school district we live in.

East Central student dies from influenza

By SARA PLUMMER AND KIM ARCHER World Staff Writers
Published: 10/3/2009 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 10/3/2009 2:29 AM

A Tulsa teenager has died from Type A influenza, and health officials are trying to determine if it was swine flu.

LaTowyn Gaston, a sophomore at East Central High School, died Thursday — a day after his 16th birthday, said his aunt, Deneeco Young. "It was very quick," Young said Friday.

Gaston started feeling ill Wednesday, and by mid-morning that same day he was taken to St. Francis Hospital, where he was admitted, Young said. He died about 9:40 p.m. Thursday.

"He just got so dehydrated the flu just overtook him," she said.

Gaston did not have asthma or any other underlying health problems, Young said.

The Tulsa City-County Health Department confirmed that a Tulsa County teen had died of Type A flu. He is the fourth Oklahoman to die since the flu emerged in April — and the second younger than 18. The others all had underlying health problems.

"The tragic loss of a child in our community is a reminder of how important it is to continue working on ways to prevent further spread of influenza. My deepest sympathies are offered to the child's family," Tulsa City-County Health Department Interim Director Reggie Ivey said in a press release.

Gaston's mother — Young's sister — is out of work and can't afford funeral services, Young said. Services are pending with Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, and school and funeral home officials have offered to help take donations.

Tulsa Public Schools officials are sending a letter home to East Central families Monday. The letter is available at the district's Web site, which can be accessed at tulsaworld.com/tps .

Gaston's aunt said he was "just an outgoing young man. He wanted to be a mechanic and musician." He was also active in Big Brothers Big Sisters and had had the same big brother for more than 10 years, she said.

Vaccine arriving soon: Children and young adults between the ages of 6 months and 24 years are in one of the groups most vulnerable to complications from the H1N1 strain.

They're also one of the targets of the swine flu vaccine — which should start arriving in Tulsa County within the next week.

Tulsa Health Department officials expect 3,400 doses of the vaccine next week — but they'll all be in the form of nasal spray, health officials said.

The doses are among the initial 21,100 that are en route to Oklahoma and are among the first shipments throughout the country.

To get the nasal FluMist, people must be healthy and between the ages of 2 and 49.

"With initial supplies being limited, we will continue to work with our local health care providers to provide the vaccine first to the priority groups that are most impacted by the new H1N1 virus," Ivey said. "And as supplies increase, we will be able to broaden the scope of who we can offer the vaccine to."

The department will not offer the initial doses to the public but will target medical workers who deal with vulnerable patients first, said spokeswoman Melanie Christian.

"We asked area hospitals to provide a number of personnel who would be working most with critical patients. It appears we'll be able to give about 20 percent of what they've requested at this time," she said.

But as shipments continue to arrive, the department plans to send out strike teams of nurses to all Tulsa County schools that want to offer the H1N1 vaccine to faculty and students, Christian said.

The Tulsa Health Department also will implement a countywide school vaccination program by offering some initial vaccine doses to students and faculty at Limestone Elementary in Sand Springs.

"Although many schools are reporting student absences similar to those found during typical flu season, Limestone Elementary is experiencing a higher-than-usual absentee rate," health officials said in a written news release.

The Tulsa Health Department also started providing free seasonal flu shots at its clinics Wednesday, with 1,500 doses given the first day.

People at high risk for flu complications should get both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccinations, Christian said.

State health officials say they expect to get weekly shipments of the vaccine, including injectables, through January.

Game cancellation: Wynnewood High School had to cancel its Friday night home football game against Oklahoma Christian because more than half its players were absent from school due to influenza-like illness, said Wynnewood Public Schools SuperintendentAlfred Gaches.

"We didn't feel it would be prudent to put a team on the field that couldn't be effective," he said. The district heard Friday from the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association that the game won't be counted as a forfeit. Because it was to be a nondistrict game, it will simply be a cancellation, Gaches said.

To stem the spread of the flu, Gaches said, all after-school activities were also canceled. He said Wynnewood is near Roff, which had to close its schools this week because so many children were absent with flu-like symptoms.

"We're doing everything we can to curtail the virus. The health and wellness of our students come first," Gaches said

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=17&articleid=20091003_17_A1_ATulsa82526

**Shiloh** · October 4, 2009, 05:34 PM

Re: Tulsa County Teenager Dies From Flu Virus

Source: http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=11255412

Tulsa Teen Dies From Flu, Mother Struggles To Pay Expenses
Posted: Oct 04, 2009 4:26 PM EST Updated: Oct 04, 2009 4:57 PM EST
LaTowyn Gaston, 16, passed away last week from influenza A.

By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Grief counselors will be at East Central High School Monday to help students cope with the loss of LaTowyn Gaston, a sophomore who passed away last week from influenza A.

Further laboratory tests will be needed to confirm if the influenza A strain was H1N1 flu, according to the Tulsa Health Department.

LaTowyn's mother, Dwana Gaston, lost her son the day after his 16th birthday and is trying to figure out how she'll pay for the funeral.

Dwana Gaston says her son was her inspiration.

"He should just be remembered as my loving son and my guardian angel," said Dwana Gaston, LaTowyn's mother.

LaTowyn Gaston started feeling nauseous and congested on Tuesday. He died Thursday night.

"He was ok and then he wasn't. And it kinda just happened. In a matter of three days, and he was gone," said Dwana Gaston.

LaTowyn was a sophomore at East Central High School.

Dwana says her son had no medical problems. On Wednesday morning, the day of his 16th birthday, he was vomiting and had diarrhea. Dwana took him to a hospital, but his body had already started shutting down.

"All his body functions started shutting down one by one. First his kidneys, then his heart, then his breathing," said Dwana Gaston.

Dwana says she hopes her son's death will make other mothers aware of how dangerous the flu can be.

"In the beginning of the week, he was healthy. Fine, vibrant, running around, being himself; and by Friday, he wasn't living anymore," said Dwana Gaston.

Gaston says she's overwhelmed with the cost of the funeral. She has been out of work for the last six months because of the economy.

"The biggest struggle is I'm not working right now, I'm unemployed. So the money that I do have still has to pay the bills. And I had no idea, no idea, that I would need to get money for this huge expense," said Dwana Gaston.

And after losing her son so suddenly, Dwana says her wish as a mother is to give him the arrangements he deserves.

A memorial fund for LaTowyn Gaston has been set up. Donations are being accepted at any Bank of Oklahoma branch to Memorial Fund for LaTowyn Gaston.

Donations may also be made directly to the funeral home:
Keith Biglow
1414 North Norfolk
Tulsa, OK 74106
918...

The Tulsa County Health Department will get its first shipment of the H1N1 vaccine within the next week. The first 3,400 doses will go to health care workers and school kids.

**Chuck** · October 5, 2009, 03:46 PM

Re: Tulsa County Teenager Dies From Flu Virus

http://www.fox23.com/news/local/story/Students-Fearful-After-Swine-Flu-Death/PMfk7eyuKkOcjDXV4kgVww.cspx

Students Fearful After Swine Flu Death
Reported by: Rebecca Smith
Last Update: 3:28 pm

Tulsa, OK- Grief counselors are on hand at East Central High School following Thursday's death of a student, 16 year old Latowyn Gaston.

An autopsy is underway to determine Gaston's exact cause of death. Officials say he died of the flu, although testing will prove whether it is the H1N1 virus.

"Yeah, I'm really worried," said Anthony Calvert, a student at East Central High School. "If it gets worse, it could kill a lot of people at our school."

Students like Anthony say fear of the flu is rampant at East Central.

"Some kids are sad and scared to come back to school," he said.

Some parents, according to these students, are calling for the school to shut down.

"I talked to my mom about it and she said she was going to try to get something done about it," said James Celli, another student.

Students are even greeting each other in a different way to avoid coming into too close of contact. They are using their sleeves to cover their hands when they shake hands.

We asked health experts why the H1N1 virus is hitting younger people so hard. Seasonal flu strains are traditionally most deadly to the elderly.

"We're thinking it's hitting the younger persons in the community more than the older ones because there may be some immunity from the 1970's when there was a different type of swine flu virus," said Pam Williams, Public Information Officer for the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Some students take their own measures to make sure they don't become infected.

"It's like, scary," said Johnnie Randall, a freshman. "I don't want to catch it or nothing like that. I make sure I wash my hands. You know, make sure everything's clean."

The state has set up a H1N1 hotline for people with questions about the virus or the vaccine. The number is 1-866-278-7134.

**Shiloh** · October 6, 2009, 04:55 PM

Re: Tulsa County Teenager Dies From Flu Virus- Confirmed A/H1N1

Source: http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=11268706

Health Department: East Central Student Died Of Swine Flu
Posted: Oct 06, 2009 4:25 PM EST Updated: Oct 06, 2009 4:34 PM EST
Featured Video

*
Tulsa Teen Dies From Flu, Mother Struggles To Pay Expenses

East Central student LaTowyn Gaston died of swine flu, the Health Department confirmed.

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa Health Department officials have confirmed that 16-year-old LaTowyn Gaston died of swine flu. It has not been confirmed if the teen suffered from any underlying health issues that might have contributed to his death.

It is the first confirmed death caused by the H1N1 virus in Tulsa County. Gaston was a student at East Central in Tulsa.

FLU INFORMATION FROM THE TULSA HEALTH DEPARTMENT:

Symptoms of the flu include:

* Fever of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, AND cough/sore throat

? Other symptoms may include headache, chills, muscle aches or fatigue, sore throat, and in some cases vomiting and diarrhea

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

* Fast breathing or trouble breathing
* Bluish or gray skin color
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Severe or persistent vomiting
* Not waking up or not acting right
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
* Fever with a rash

Ways to Protect the Health of Children:

To keep the flu from spreading to more people, the Tulsa Health Department recommends sick children stay at home. Any children who are sick at school should be sent home. It is important to be alert for signs of illness in your children.

Following are some ways you can slow the spread of germs:

* Children who are sick should stay home and not attend school or go into the community except to seek medical care
* Children should not return to school until fever free for at least 24 hours without fever medication
* Teach children to wash their hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing your ABCs twice).
* Teach children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of the elbow.
* Teach children to avoid close contact with others who are sick.

Groups at High Risk for Complications from Flu
It is particularly important for those who are at high risk for complications from influenza to continue good health habits and to seek medical guidance if they begin to experience flu-like symptoms. High risk groups include:

* Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
* Pregnant women
* People 50 years of age and older
* People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
* People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

? People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu

Influenza Vaccinations

The Tulsa Health Department is currently able to offer free seasonal flu vaccinations at their area clinics to anyone who wishes to receive the vaccine. A limited supply of H1N1 vaccine is scheduled to arrive in Tulsa County within the next week. With the first shipment of vaccine being a limited amount and in nasal spray form, the Tulsa Health Department will be following established federal protocols and targeting high risk groups first beginning with health care workers who provide direct patient care to those most vulnerable to complications from the flu. Examples include area hospital workers with direct patient care in emergency departments, pediatrics and intensive care units.

The Tulsa Health Department will also utilize the initial vaccine supply to begin implementing their countywide school vaccination program by offering vaccine to students and faculty at Limestone Elementary in Sand Springs. Although many schools are reporting student absences similar to those found during typical flu season, Limestone Elementary is experiencing a higher than usual absentee rate. As vaccine supplies increase in the coming weeks, the Tulsa Health Department will be deploying teams of nurses to area schools who wish to offer the H1N1 vaccine to their faculty and students.

Priority groups to receive H1N1 vaccinations include the following:

* Pregnant women
* Health care workers and emergency medical responders
* People caring for infants less than 6 months of age
* Children and young adults from 6 months to 24 years of age

? Persons aged 25 to 64 who have underlying medical conditions

Announcement

Tulsa County Teenager Dies From Flu Virus- Confirmed A/H1N1

Tulsa County Teenager Dies From Flu Virus- Confirmed A/H1N1

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