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Source: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/cou...loosa-flu.html
Okaloosa County reports first swine flu death
October 16, 2009 1:46 PM
Wendy Victora
Daily News
OKALOOSA COUNTY -- Health officials say a 33-year-old woman who had underlying medical conditions has died of the H1N1 virus, otherwise known as swine flu.
The woman was the first Okaloosa County death linked to the illness.
?Our sympathies go out to this individual?s family and friends," said Dr. Karen Chapman, M.D., the Okaloosa County Health Department director. " My hope for her family and friends is that happier memories of times shared with their loved one will carry them through this sorrowful time.?
Health departments in Santa Rosa County and Walton County have each reported one death from the illness.
On Sept. 11, a 52-year-old Santa Rosa County man died. He had a history of hypertension and gastroesophogeal reflux disease, according to health department officials.
He had been hospitalized a week before his death.
On Aug. 6, Chase Ray, a 21-year-old DeFuniak Springs man became the area's first swine flu casualty, when he died at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
A vaccine approved for the illness has started arriving in the area. Santa Rosa County health department officials reported receiving their first shipment this week.
Okaloosa County health department officials announced Thursday that the vaccine would be available at free clinics beginning Nov. 2.
Local health officials continue to urge people to take precautions such as washing their hands frequently and staying home when they are ill. The first cases of swine flu in the United States were reported in the spring. Testing for the illness was stopped in late July, except for in very specific instances, because the virus was so widespread.
Okaloosa County reports first swine flu death
October 16, 2009 1:46 PM
Wendy Victora
Daily News
OKALOOSA COUNTY -- Health officials say a 33-year-old woman who had underlying medical conditions has died of the H1N1 virus, otherwise known as swine flu.
The woman was the first Okaloosa County death linked to the illness.
?Our sympathies go out to this individual?s family and friends," said Dr. Karen Chapman, M.D., the Okaloosa County Health Department director. " My hope for her family and friends is that happier memories of times shared with their loved one will carry them through this sorrowful time.?
Health departments in Santa Rosa County and Walton County have each reported one death from the illness.
On Sept. 11, a 52-year-old Santa Rosa County man died. He had a history of hypertension and gastroesophogeal reflux disease, according to health department officials.
He had been hospitalized a week before his death.
On Aug. 6, Chase Ray, a 21-year-old DeFuniak Springs man became the area's first swine flu casualty, when he died at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
A vaccine approved for the illness has started arriving in the area. Santa Rosa County health department officials reported receiving their first shipment this week.
Okaloosa County health department officials announced Thursday that the vaccine would be available at free clinics beginning Nov. 2.
Local health officials continue to urge people to take precautions such as washing their hands frequently and staying home when they are ill. The first cases of swine flu in the United States were reported in the spring. Testing for the illness was stopped in late July, except for in very specific instances, because the virus was so widespread.