Clinton County Health Department Confirms H1N1 Death

[JimO]

Source: http://www.wptz.com/health/21295091/detail.html

Clinton County Health Department Confirms H1N1 Death
First Death Reported From Virus

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -- Clinton County health officials told WPTZ.com Wednesday that a person has died from the H1N1 virus.

While details are still emerging, health officials confirmed the death is the first death due to the virus.

Newschannel 5 has a crew on the story and will provide further details as they become available.

The Clinton County Health Department said Tuesday that several residents have tested positive for the H1N1 virus, otherwise known as swine flu.

Each individual was experiencing influenza type illness, with fever, health officials said.

Many other communities in both New York and Vermont have already had residents test positive for H1N1in the second wave of this illness.

Most people who become infected with H1N1influenza have continued to experience mild to moderate illness. Those with underlying medical conditions are at greater risk for complications from H1N1.

A small amount of H1N1 nasal spray vaccine arrived in Clinton County the week of Oct. 5. More is expected this week.

[Shiloh]

Re: Clinton County Health Department Confirms H1N1 Death

Source: http://www.pressrepublican.com/break...287131800.html

Published October 14, 2009 01:18 pm - Adult with medical conditions dies of H1N1 at Plattsburgh hospital.

Clinton County sees first swine-flu death


By JOE LOTEMPLIO
Staff Writer

PLATTSBURGH ? The region?s first H1N1-related death has occurred, and officials are urging the public to take precautions.

Public-health officials said at a news conference Wednesday that an adult who was admitted to the CVPH Medical Center with complications associated with influenza-type illness died this week at the hospital.

Officials would not say whether the person was male or female or the age, only that it was an adult.

They did say that the person had underlying medical conditions but would not elaborate.

GROWING THREAT

Dr. Wouter Rietsema, vice president of medical affairs at CVPH and an infectious-disease specialist, said that as the flu season goes along, more and more people are expected to get H1N1, but that only a small number will actually get very sick or die.

?Only a small percentage of people have severe illness with this, but, as more get it, that small percentage could wind up being a bigger number,? Rietsema said.

VACCINATIONs

Health officials are urging the public to exercise proper respiratory etiquette, such as washing hands, containing coughs and staying home if sick.

They are also urging people to get vaccinated when the vaccine becomes available locally.

?This should be a giant commercial to get vaccinated,? Rietsema said of the death.

Vaccines are slowly becoming available in the county, and Health Department Director Paula Calkins-Lacomb said that by mid-November more vaccines should be available.

Hopefully, there will be enough to conduct public vaccination clinics, Calkins-Lacombe said.