Tweet
SOurce: http://cjonline.com/news/local/2009-..._eighth_kansan
H1N1 claims eighth Kansan
By The Capital-Journal
Created October 16, 2009 at 5:26pm
Updated October 16, 2009 at 5:28pm
The death of a southwest Kansas woman has been confirmed as the eighth in the state due to the pandemic H1N1 flu virus, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Friday.
Laboratory testing on Thursday confirmed the 48-year-old woman had the H1N1 virus, the department said. Health officials said the woman had underlying health conditions that put her at risk for serious complications. Her death was reported to the KDHE on Friday.
KDHE Secretary Roderick Bremby and Jason Eberhart-Phillips, the state's health officer, expressed sympathy and offered their deepest condolences to the woman's family.
"This death shows how important it is for all of us do what we can to protect ourselves and our families against H1N1 flu, and to reduce the risk of spreading this virus," Eberhart-Phillips said. "More vaccine will soon begin arriving in Kansas each week, and we hope that everyone who is able will choose to get vaccinated as larger amounts of it become available."
The national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended that certain people who are at greater risk from H1N1 flu receive the vaccine earlier than others, as the amount of H1N1 vaccine is currently very limited. Those who should receive the vaccine first include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical services personnel, persons 6 months through 24 years of age, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for H1N1 flu because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
Health officials said the pandemic H1N1 virus is causing widespread illness throughout Kansas and the United States. Visits to health care providers for influenza-like illness have been increasing in most regions of Kansas as well as throughout the United States over the past few weeks and are substantially higher than what is typically seen at this time of year.
The symptoms of infection with the pandemic H1N1 virus are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever greater than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting. Most people who have been ill with pandemic H1N1 influenza have recovered without medical treatment.
However, health officials said some people develop serious complications that require hospitalization or may lead to death. Although serious complications are more likely among persons with certain underlying chronic health conditions, this pandemic influenza virus has caused serious complications and deaths among persons without such factors. Unlike typical seasonal influenza, the 2009 H1N1 virus is causing a greater disease burden among adolescents and young adults. Severe illness from H1N1 virus infection can even occur among relatively young, healthy persons.
KDHE said it is no longer accepting specimens from everyone who sees a doctor with symptoms. In non-hospitalized cases, confirmatory testing does not affect treatment and advice given to patients by health care providers.
The KDHE said most children and adults with the flu who are generally in good health will recover without needing to visit a health care provider. Some people may want to call their health care provider for advice on how to care for the flu at home.
Individuals who experience severe illness or who are at high risk of complications from H1N1 influenza infection, including children less than 5 years of age, adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, and persons with chronic medical conditions (including asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions), are advised to contact their health care provider.
State health officials said the H1N1 vaccine is starting to arrive in Kansas, but at this time in very limited quantities. Until people are able to be vaccinated against the virus, individuals are encouraged to take the following steps to reduce its spread:
* Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
* If you become sick, stay home until at least 24 hours after fever or signs of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, in order to avoid spreading illness to co-workers and friends.
* Cough or sneeze into a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues. If you do not have a tissue, cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow and not your hands.
* Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise.
Concerned Kansans may call the KDHE's H1N1 information line 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1-877-427-7317. Persons calling will be directed to press "1" on their touch-tone phone to be directed to an operator who can answer questions.
Kansans with questions about the virus can email H1N1fluinfo@kdheks.gov. Information is also available from KDHE at www.kdheks.gov.
H1N1 claims eighth Kansan
By The Capital-Journal
Created October 16, 2009 at 5:26pm
Updated October 16, 2009 at 5:28pm
The death of a southwest Kansas woman has been confirmed as the eighth in the state due to the pandemic H1N1 flu virus, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Friday.
Laboratory testing on Thursday confirmed the 48-year-old woman had the H1N1 virus, the department said. Health officials said the woman had underlying health conditions that put her at risk for serious complications. Her death was reported to the KDHE on Friday.
KDHE Secretary Roderick Bremby and Jason Eberhart-Phillips, the state's health officer, expressed sympathy and offered their deepest condolences to the woman's family.
"This death shows how important it is for all of us do what we can to protect ourselves and our families against H1N1 flu, and to reduce the risk of spreading this virus," Eberhart-Phillips said. "More vaccine will soon begin arriving in Kansas each week, and we hope that everyone who is able will choose to get vaccinated as larger amounts of it become available."
The national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended that certain people who are at greater risk from H1N1 flu receive the vaccine earlier than others, as the amount of H1N1 vaccine is currently very limited. Those who should receive the vaccine first include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical services personnel, persons 6 months through 24 years of age, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for H1N1 flu because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
Health officials said the pandemic H1N1 virus is causing widespread illness throughout Kansas and the United States. Visits to health care providers for influenza-like illness have been increasing in most regions of Kansas as well as throughout the United States over the past few weeks and are substantially higher than what is typically seen at this time of year.
The symptoms of infection with the pandemic H1N1 virus are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever greater than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting. Most people who have been ill with pandemic H1N1 influenza have recovered without medical treatment.
However, health officials said some people develop serious complications that require hospitalization or may lead to death. Although serious complications are more likely among persons with certain underlying chronic health conditions, this pandemic influenza virus has caused serious complications and deaths among persons without such factors. Unlike typical seasonal influenza, the 2009 H1N1 virus is causing a greater disease burden among adolescents and young adults. Severe illness from H1N1 virus infection can even occur among relatively young, healthy persons.
KDHE said it is no longer accepting specimens from everyone who sees a doctor with symptoms. In non-hospitalized cases, confirmatory testing does not affect treatment and advice given to patients by health care providers.
The KDHE said most children and adults with the flu who are generally in good health will recover without needing to visit a health care provider. Some people may want to call their health care provider for advice on how to care for the flu at home.
Individuals who experience severe illness or who are at high risk of complications from H1N1 influenza infection, including children less than 5 years of age, adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, and persons with chronic medical conditions (including asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions), are advised to contact their health care provider.
State health officials said the H1N1 vaccine is starting to arrive in Kansas, but at this time in very limited quantities. Until people are able to be vaccinated against the virus, individuals are encouraged to take the following steps to reduce its spread:
* Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
* If you become sick, stay home until at least 24 hours after fever or signs of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, in order to avoid spreading illness to co-workers and friends.
* Cough or sneeze into a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues. If you do not have a tissue, cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow and not your hands.
* Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise.
Concerned Kansans may call the KDHE's H1N1 information line 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1-877-427-7317. Persons calling will be directed to press "1" on their touch-tone phone to be directed to an operator who can answer questions.
Kansans with questions about the virus can email H1N1fluinfo@kdheks.gov. Information is also available from KDHE at www.kdheks.gov.
Comment