Vanderbilt Man Dies From Flu; Cases Surge In Western PA

[JimO]

http://www.wpxi.com/news/26942503/detail.html

Vanderbilt Man Dies From Flu; Cases Surge In Western PA

PITTSBURGH -- Officials said a Vanderbilt man died from the flu over the weekend, while the number of cases in Western Pennsylvania continues to increase.

Health officials said the number of flu cases is increasing even among people who were vaccinated.

"Myself and my colleagues, we observe people that were vaccinated for the flu and are coming down with symptoms. So there seems to be some variant strain circulating." said Dr. Andrew Sahud, chairman of the infection prevention committee at Allegheny General Hospital....more at link

 

[tetano]

Re: Vanderbilt Man Dies From Flu; Cases Surge In Western PA

Vanderbilt paramedic, ambulance dispatcher felled by H1N1 flu





As a paramedic and dispatcher with a Fayette County ambulance service, David P. Sechrist dedicated his life to helping others.

The 30-year-old Vanderbilt man died Saturday of complications from the H1N1 flu, according to his family.

Despite his untimely passing, Sechrist continues to help others, with his death raising awareness of the importance of flu shots, his family said.

"He got H1N1 from direct contact, so it had to be from somebody in this area," said his father, Rod Sechrist of Dawson.

"Hopefully, we'll help somebody else," he said. "H1N1 is a big misconception at this point. Even at the hospital, they said they hadn't seen H1N1 in months."

Flu cases are on the rise in Pennsylvania, according to the state health department's most recent report.

As of the week ending Feb. 12, there were 1,898 flu cases reported, up from the previous week's tally of 1,632. Flu activity is statewide, but the department noted "significant increases were reported in the southwestern regions."

Of 45 flu specimens sent to the state lab for testing, 60 percent were the H1N1 virus, according to the department's website. Five deaths statewide were attributed to flu complications during the same reporting period, including one child.

Read more: Vanderbilt paramedic, ambulance dispatcher felled by H1N1 flu - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_723990.html#ixzz1EfP0tTQH