Lee County resident dies from H1N1 virus

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.nbc-2.com/Global/story.asp?S=11314601

Lee County resident dies from H1N1 virus
Posted: Oct 14, 2009 2:42 PM EST Updated: Oct 14, 2009 2:42 PM EST

LEE COUNTY: A 30-year-old Cape Coral woman has died from the H1N1 virus, according to the Lee County Health Department.

The health department says the woman had been hospitalized before her death and didn't have any medical conditions that would increase her risk of complications from the H1N1 virus, also known as the swine flu.

"That is one of the things that is so alarming about swine flu, it doesn't react the way seasonal flu does. Normal healthy people with no pre-existing conditions can have very severe reactions that can lead, ultimately, to death," said Jennifer James Mesloh of the Lee County Health Department.

As of October 14, a total of 112 people have died from the H1N1 virus in Florida.

The Lee County Health Department wants to offer the vaccine to the entire community at free vaccination clinics later in October.

The health departments will hold the vaccination clinics at area high schools. People who are in the high risk categories will be givern the first supplies.

Those most at risk include:

* Children and young adults between 6 months and 24 years
* Pregnant women
* People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months old
* Health care workers and emergency medical services personnel
* People age 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza

The Florida Department of Health toll-free number provides public health information and updates on H1N1 Swine flu. The information line is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT, seven days a week. Information is available in English, Spanish and Creole. The Florida Flu Information Line is 1-877-352-3581.

[Shiloh]

Re: Lee County resident dies from H1N1 virus

Source: http://www.abc-7.com/Global/story.asp?S=11323755

Swine flu victim worked for Cape police
Posted: Oct 15, 2009 6:52 PM EST Updated: Oct 15, 2009 6:52 PM EST

CAPE CORAL: The Lee County woman who passed away from swine flu Wednesday worked as a 911 dispatcher for the Cape Coral Police Department.

A family confirmed that 30-year-old Michelle Olson died Wednesday at Cape Coral Hospital.

Olson is the mother of three children.

The city said Olson had worked with the police department since 2007.

Cape Police Chief Rob Petrovich said employees are trying to cope with the shocking loss.

Family members have set up a "Michelle Olson Memorial Fund" at Florida Gulf Bank.

Olson is the fourth Lee County resident to die of swine flu.

Officials with the health department say Olson had no pre-existing medical conditions.

[Shiloh]

Re: Lee County resident dies from H1N1 virus

Source: http://www.lehighacrescitizen.com/pa....html?nav=5110

Illness led to pneumonia, H1N1 flu
By MCKENZIE CASSIDY, mcassidy@breezenewspapers.com
POSTED: October 17, 2009


A family spokesperson confirmed Friday that Michelle Olson, 30, was the Cape Coral woman who died Wednesday at Cape Coral Hospital after contracting the H1N1 virus.

A spokesperson for her parents, Jerry and Diana Olson of Cape Coral, said she died from complications related to developing a double case of pneumonia.

A mother of three children - Tyler, Cory and Brooke - and a fiance to North Fort Myers resident George Hawkins, Michelle Olson had childhood asthma and was prone to respiratory problems, sources said Friday.

Her family said that even though she was diagnosed with H1N1, she was a good person and they didn't want her to be considered another statistic of this burgeoning pandemic. The Fort Myers-born mother worked in telecommunications at the Cape Coral Police Department.

Coral Ridge Funeral Home has scheduled visitation services from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday followed by the funeral at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Christian Fellowship Church. A trust fund also has been set up for Olson's three children at the Florida Gulf Bank.

A statement concerning her death was first issued Wednesday afternoon by the Lee County Health Department, yet didn't include her name. It said that a 30-year-old Cape Coral woman had died after contracting H1N1, and that she had no pre-existing conditions that weakened her immune system.

Whether asthma or other respiratory issues are considered a pre-existing conditions is left to debate, but Jennifer James-Mesloh, spokesperson for the health department, said the department issued a statement with the only information they knew at the time - that a 30-year-old Cape Coral woman had died from H1N1.

Other employees of the City of Cape Coral have developed flu-like symptoms, said spokesperson Connie Barron.

"We have had some people out sick," she said. "I don't know whether they had H1N1 and even if I did know I couldn't tell you that."

Agencies across the county have been tight-lipped about releasing personal information on people who are diagnosed with the virus. Privacy laws under HIPAA prevent city or health department officials from releasing any personal information about Lee County residents who die from H1N1.

Barron said she doubted the city's situation is any different from other public agencies across the county. For instance, some students in the Lee County School District have been staying home with flu-like symptoms and the H1N1 virus had been identified among students.

But, individual cases where people have contract H1N1 are no longer being tracked by government agencies or the health department. Deaths continue to be reported to the state.

This summer the Lee County Health Department went to community mitigation, which means that instead of tracking cases of H1N1, the department educates people on techniques to curb the spread of the virus.

Four people have died from it in Lee County. There have been 112 deaths throughout the state, 20 of which were in people under the age of 24.

James-Mesloh said there is a "major outbreak" of H1N1 in Lee County. The department continues to stress that all residents get the vaccine available in clinics starting Oct. 26.

"We know when one person gets infected, they can infect 18-20 people," said James-Mesloh. "This is one of the main reasons we talk about people getting vaccinated. You aren't only protecting yourself but others."

The health department has a number of surveillance systems - emergency departments and sentinel physicians, for example - that are keeping an eye on the spread of H1N1. They also classify the prevalence of the virus as sporadic, localized or widespread.

According to James-Mesloh, Lee County has been teetering on the cusp of localized and widespread, but currently they describe the virus as localized.

The H1N1 vaccine will be given out voluntarily at a number of clinics run by the health department and at local high schools beginning Oct. 26.