5 yr. old dies of A/H1N1 in southeast Texas

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.kbmt12.com/news/local/66600142.html

BREAKING NEWS: SETX Child Dies From H1N1 Flu Complications
Bryan Rupp

Story Created: Oct 27, 2009 at 4:29 PM CDT

Story Updated: Oct 27, 2009 at 5:28 PM CDT
12 News has confirmed a Southeast Texas child residing in Jefferson County has passed away from complications of the H1N1 flu.

Service for the child will be at 10a.m. Friday at Broussards in Nederland.

The child will be taken to Holly Springs Baptist Church for a 2p.m. service and will then be buried in Magnolia Cemetery in Jasper.

12 News is monitoring the story and will have much more when it becomes available.

Here is the official press release:

The Beaumont Health Department confirmed today that a 5-year-old Jefferson County child has died of complications from the H1N1 virus. The child died Tuesday afternoon in a Houston hospital after being ill for about a month. This is the first reported death of a county resident from H1N1.

"We are saddened to learn about the death of this young child," said Ingrid Holmes, Public Health Director for the City of Beaumont. "Most people who have gotten this strain of flu have had only mild symptoms, but it is our sincere hope that every family is taking precautions against both seasonal and H1N1 flu, so that we can keep infections to a bare minimum this season."

The manufacturer of the H1N1 vaccine, in cooperation with the state of Texas, determines the timing and number of vaccines released to each city's health department, based on the production speed of the drug and the population of the respective cities, Holmes said. The city's health department has received a negligible number of H1N1 vaccines to-date, and has a plan in place to administer doses according to patient risk levels once the vaccine arrives in sufficient amounts.

"Once we receive enough vaccines, the city is ready to distribute them," said Holmes. "In the meantime, if you or your child show symptoms of H1N1, such as fever, cough, sore throat, aches or other symptoms, it is important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible."

For more information on seasonal and H1N1 flu, visit the Texas Department of State Health Services at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/txflu/default.shtm.

[sbrooks]

Re: 5 yr. old dies of A/H1N1 in southeast Texas

very very sad.
Lately I'm noticing when there is a press release about pediatric deaths they
may mention the child was ill and hospitalized for weeks and sometimes up to a month. We need to get a handle on those hospitalized, that may be a bigger
measurement of the severity than the reported deaths.

[Chuck]

Re: 5 yr. old dies of A/H1N1 in southeast Texas

http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/local/update__county_has_confirmed_h1n1_flu_death.html

UPDATE2: County has confirmed H1N1 flu death
By THE ENTERPRISE
October 27, 2009
Posted: October 27, 2009, 5:18 PM CDT Last updated: October 27, 2009, 10:18 PM CDT

A five-year-old Nederland boy died Monday from complications of H1N1, the first of Jefferson County resident to do so, as local public health officials wait to receive sufficient amounts of vaccine.

Cole Davis, a kindergartner at Langham Elementary School, was hospitalized Sept. 23 with double pneumonia after a series of influenza tests showed no signs of the illness.

He died at Texas Children's Hospital, family members told The Enterprise.

The Beaumont Public Health Department confirmed Cole's death was from complications from the H1N1 virus.

Ingrid Holmes, director of the Beaumont Public Health Department, said a news release that "negligible number" of H1N1 vaccines have come in.

The department has plan in place to administer the vaccine "according to patient risk levels" when they receive more, the city's news release said.

Before he was hospitalized, Cole had been ill for several weeks, his aunt, Andrea Boren said by phone Tuesday.