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Source: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article...u-deaths-hit-9
Sonoma County swine flu deaths hit 9
By DEREK J. MOORE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Friday, October 2, 2009 at 3:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, October 2, 2009 at 9:57 p.m.
Sonoma County has had nine confirmed deaths from the swine flu in 2009, a number that is expected to rise as winter approaches.
?Influenza is a serious disease, and we expect to see more deaths in Sonoma County,? said Dr. Mark Netherda, the county?s deputy public health officer. ?We will continue to recommend that people do whatever they can to prevent transmitting the disease to others.?
He said the number of deaths related to the H1N1 virus in Sonoma County was recently revised to include two people who died earlier this year.
The additions were made after state health officials revised their counting methods, Netherda said.
A third victim, an elderly person who had multiple other health problems, died of the flu in recent weeks, he said.
Health officials do not announce swine flu deaths nor will they disclose the identities, ages or towns of those who die.
Netherda said federal officials estimate Sonoma County could have as many as 350 deaths from swine flu this winter.
But he stressed that scenario assumes a more lethal outbreak of the disease than what officials are expecting, as well as little to no prevention efforts, such as a widespread refusal of vaccines and a failure to take other measures, such as frequent hand-washing.
?We?re certainly planning for something milder than that,? Netherda said.
A limited amount of swine flu vaccines is expected to be available next week in Sonoma County. Widespread distribution isn?t expected until after Oct. 15.
The target population for the first round are children older than 2 but younger than 9 and caregivers of infants younger than 6 months.
Parents and caregivers should call their physician to check for the arrival of the medication because doses will be delivered to registered doctors, clinics and other providers directly.
You can reach Staff Writer Derek Moore at 521-5336 and derek.moore@pressdemocrat.com.
Sonoma County swine flu deaths hit 9
By DEREK J. MOORE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Friday, October 2, 2009 at 3:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, October 2, 2009 at 9:57 p.m.
Sonoma County has had nine confirmed deaths from the swine flu in 2009, a number that is expected to rise as winter approaches.
?Influenza is a serious disease, and we expect to see more deaths in Sonoma County,? said Dr. Mark Netherda, the county?s deputy public health officer. ?We will continue to recommend that people do whatever they can to prevent transmitting the disease to others.?
He said the number of deaths related to the H1N1 virus in Sonoma County was recently revised to include two people who died earlier this year.
The additions were made after state health officials revised their counting methods, Netherda said.
A third victim, an elderly person who had multiple other health problems, died of the flu in recent weeks, he said.
Health officials do not announce swine flu deaths nor will they disclose the identities, ages or towns of those who die.
Netherda said federal officials estimate Sonoma County could have as many as 350 deaths from swine flu this winter.
But he stressed that scenario assumes a more lethal outbreak of the disease than what officials are expecting, as well as little to no prevention efforts, such as a widespread refusal of vaccines and a failure to take other measures, such as frequent hand-washing.
?We?re certainly planning for something milder than that,? Netherda said.
A limited amount of swine flu vaccines is expected to be available next week in Sonoma County. Widespread distribution isn?t expected until after Oct. 15.
The target population for the first round are children older than 2 but younger than 9 and caregivers of infants younger than 6 months.
Parents and caregivers should call their physician to check for the arrival of the medication because doses will be delivered to registered doctors, clinics and other providers directly.
You can reach Staff Writer Derek Moore at 521-5336 and derek.moore@pressdemocrat.com.
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