The Garden City Telegram
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First H1N1 death recorded in southwest Kansas
Published 10/17/2009 in Local News
By The Telegram
A 48-year-old southwest Kansas woman has died from complications of the H1N1 flu virus, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported Friday.
KDHE is not releasing the names of H1N1, or swine flu, victims, just the region or major metropolitan area of residence, the individual's age, gender and the presence of any underlying health conditions for pandemic influenza-related deaths, according to a KDHE release.
Laboratory testing confirmed Thursday that the woman, who had underlying health conditions that put her at greater risk for serious complications, had the H1N1 virus. Her death was reported Friday.
"This death shows how important it is for all of us to do what we can to protect ourselves and our families against H1N1 flu, and to reduce the risk of spreading this virus," said Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips, Kansas State Health Officer. "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."
Locally, health care workers in Garden City received the first round of H1N1 influenza vaccinations Tuesday at Garden Valley Church. About 10 Finney County Health Department employees helped vaccinate 184 health care workers.
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 limited. Groups receiving the vaccine first should be 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 old through 24 years of age, and people ages 25 to 64 who are at higher risk for H1N1 flu because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
The pandemic H1N1 virus is causing widespread illness throughout Kansas and the United States.
On Monday in Garden City USD 457, there were 568 students out sick, which is about 7.6 percent of the district's 7,455 students.
U.S. health officials lost track of how many deaths and illnesses had been caused by H1N1 in July, the Associated Press reported.
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.
Some people develop serious complications that require hospitalization and can 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 flu, the 2009 H1N1 virus is causing a greater disease burden among adolescents and young adults. Severe illness from H1N1 virus infection even can occur among relatively young, healthy persons.
KDHE 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.
Individuals who experience severe illness or who are at high risk of complications from H1N1 influenza infection, including children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, pregnant women, and persons with chronic medical conditions (including asthma, diabetes, heart disease and other conditions), should contact their health care provider.
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