Minnesota Reports 3 Deaths in Week 41

[JimO]

Source: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/i...ats/index.html

During week 41 influenza activity has increased in Minnesota

• Two hundred thirty (230) schools reported outbreaks of influenza-like illness during week 41. Two hundred fifteen (215) schools reported outbreaks in week 40.
  
• There have been no outbreaks due to influenza reported from long-term care facilities this week.
  
• Influenza-like illness visits to outpatient clinics involved in our Sentinel Provider Network remain elevated.
  
• Since September 1st, 2009, there have been 380 confirmed novel H1N1 influenza hospitalizations and 640 total novel H1N1 hospitalizations since the virus was first identified in Minnesota.
  
• Three (3) influenza A H1N1-associated deaths were reported in week 41. Ten (10) influenza A H1N1-associated deaths have been reported since the virus was first identified in Minnesota.
  
• The most common strain of influenza characterized at the MDH PHL has been 2009 influenza A H1N1.

[Hogweed]

Re: Minnesota Reports 3 Deaths in Week 41

From the report http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/i...ats/index.html

[JimO]

Re: Minnesota Reports 3 Deaths in Week 41

Wow, the %ILI is 3x higher than anything recorded in the past two flu seasons.

[Shiloh]

Re: Minnesota Reports 3 Deaths in Week 41

Source: http://www.wasecacountynews.com/news.php?viewStory=4025

Steele County child's death confirmed as H1N1
Posted: Thursday, October 22, 2009 2:01 pm

A Steele County child is among three more Minnesota residents to have died from complications due to infection with the H1N1 novel influenza virus, the Minnesota Department of Health reported Thursday.

They were also a Martin County woman in her early sixties and a Freeborn County child, both under 7 years of age. All died within the last two weeks and all had underlying health conditions. These cases bring to 10 the total Minnesota deaths related to the H1N1 outbreak since last April.

The department has been awaiting medical confirmation on the causes of the deaths before announcing them.

To date, MDH has received reports of 611 hospitalized cases of confirmed H1N1 novel influenza in Minnesota. In addition, 230 schools reported last week to MDH that they had either five percent of their student body absent or three students in an elementary school classroom absent due to flu-like illness.

?We continue to follow this pandemic closely, and although we are seeing widespread infection due to H1N1 influenza, we are not seeing a change in the severity of the disease. Most people recover without complications, but unfortunately some people, particularly those who are pregnant, those who are very young or elderly, or those who have underlying medical conditions, are at risk for more severe illness or complications,? said Dr. Ruth Lynfield, state epidemiologist for MDH. ?This is why we urge people to help stop the spread of this virus by staying home when they are sick and covering their coughs and washing their hands and by getting vaccinated.?

Getting vaccinated is the best protection against the virus. While the vaccine for H1N1 is not yet available for the general public, it is being provided to health care workers and some of the very highest risk pediatric patients and pregnant women. Priority groups will then include the remaining children and adults under 25 years, and those under 65 who have certain medical conditions; and following these groups anyone else who wishes vaccination. Vaccine shipments are expected to continue over the coming months.


Until vaccine is more widely available, it is important for people to continue to take steps to protect themselves and reduce the spread of influenza:

Stay home from work or school ? and generally avoid going out in public ? if you are sick. Remain home until 24 hours after your symptoms resolve without the aid of fever-reducing medications.

If you are an employer, encourage your employees to stay home if they are sick.

Limit your contact with others who may be ill.

Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve when you cough or sneeze.

Clean your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Clean your hands after shaking hands or having other close contact with other people, before eating or preparing food, or touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Make sure to take enough fluids while you?re sick.

If you develop possible flu symptoms and you want to consult your health care provider, call before going in for an office visit. You may not need to go in, and if you do need to be seen, a time should be set up when you will not risk exposing others to influenza in the waiting room.

People at risk for severe flu or flu complications should contact their health care provider promptly if they develop flu symptoms or have been closely exposed to people with flu symptoms to determine whether they should receive antiviral medication.

People who develop severe symptoms or who develop new symptoms after initial improvement should seek medical care without delay.

Get vaccinated for both seasonal and H1N1 novel influenza as soon as vaccine becomes available for you.

If you do have flu symptoms and want to speak with a nurse about your illness, call your health care provider or the Minnesota FluLine at 866-259-4655.

For more information about influenza, please visit or contact your health care provider.

[JimO]

Re: Minnesota Reports 3 Deaths in Week 41

Six of ten deaths in Minnesota have been children:

Twin Cities area child, <9 years, died in June
Twin Cities area child, <9 years, died in July
Hennepin County Nathaniel David Schilling, 6-yrs, died 9/24
Oliver Franklin Finley, 11-yrs, died either on 10/10 or 10/17
Freeborn County child, 7-yrs, died in Week 41
Steele County child, 7-yrs, died in Week 41

[hawkeye]

Re: Minnesota Reports 3 Deaths in Week 41

Three More Minnesotans Have Died From Complications Of The H1N1 Flu
October 22, 2009 at 6:49pm


Three More Minnesotans Have Died From Complications Of The H1N1 Flu
October 22, 2009 at 6:49pm

Thanks for joining us this evening.Three more Minnesota residents have died from complications of the H1N1 flu including two children less than 7 years old.That makes 10 people in Minnesota who have died of complications from the virus....News 12's Betsy Gessell joins us from the newsroom with more.Dion and Nicole, health officials are saying very little about the deaths, but they do tell us in all three cases underlying medical conditions were a factor and all three deaths happened within the last two weeks.The latest deaths are a child from Steele County... a child fromFreeborn County... and a Martin County woman in her early sixties.The deaths also come as the Health Department announces it will release weekly updates on the Flu Pandemic.According to the state health department there have now been611 hospitalized cases of confirmed H1N1 in the state.In addition, last week 230 schools reported flu outbreaks.Health officials say they're following h1n1 closely and while it's widespread, they're not seeing any changes in the severity of the flu.So they're continuing to urge people to stay home, cover their coughs, and wash their hands and get vaccinated when it's available.We'll bring you more information tonight from Martin County on The Fox Mankato News at and News 12 at Ten.

[Tonka]

Re: Minnesota Reports 3 Deaths in Week 41

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/virus/68058427.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUqyE5D7UiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

H1N1 flu continues its march around the world
Last update: October 31, 2009 - 7:24 PM

STATUS IN MINNESOTA
The H1N1 flu pandemic has continued its march across Minnesota., with a sharp increase of hospitalizations and school outbreaks last week.

A total of 915 Minnesotans have been hospitalized with H1N1 complications since spring, including 225 last week, the Health Department reported. And two additional Minnesotans died, bringing the total number of deaths to 12. Meanwhile, 288 schools reported outbreaks last week, compared with 230 the previous week.

NATIONWIDE
Flu activity is now widespread in 48 states, up from 46 last week. Even though the winter flu season has yet to begin, the flu is taking a heavy toll on children, killing 114 U.S. children and teenagers since April, said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nineteen of those deaths were reported last week.

Two-thirds of those children had underlying medical conditions, Frieden said. In a normal flu season, 40 to 50 children die. Since the CDC began tracking children's flu deaths five years ago, the highest toll was 88, in the winter of 2007-8.

Comparable numbers are not available for adults. Frieden said the agency hopes to have real-time estimates in the next couple of weeks. He said that "many millions" have been infected.

WHO SHOULD SEEK CARE
Frieden urged people with underlying conditions, such as diabetes, ashma or lung and heart disease, who have a fever or cough to see their health care provided promptly. He said a CDC survey showed that only about half of all people with flu symptoms who also had other potentially dangerous medical problems sought care from a doctor.

THE SYMPTOMS
Symptoms are similar to those of seasonal flu, including fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with H1N1 also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.