3 Hamilton County Flu Deaths Reported In 6 Weeks
More Swine Flu Vaccine Arrives, Though Public Not Rushing To Take Advantage
posted October 14, 2009
Three Hamilton County residents have died from the flu in the last six weeks, officials of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department said Wednesday.
Becky Barnes, administrator, said, “Hamilton County is continuing to experience significant influenza illness. For most people in the community, flu illness has been mild, but for some this virus has been deadly. Since flu deaths, both pediatric and adult, became reportable to the Health Department on Sept. 1, a total of three deaths have been reported in Hamilton County residents- ages 27, 51 and 77.”
With the arrival of an additional 1,200 doses of 2009 H1N1 FluMist on Tuesday, this allows the health department to continue its targeted vaccination campaign, she said.
Ms. Barnes stated, “Even though we have been pleased with public response to the vaccine, we want the community to know that we have more capacity to give vaccine than the community is taking advantage of.”
Officials said before the vaccine was available, “simple hygienic prevention measures like handwashing, staying at home when ill, and covering coughs and sneezes were the only way to prevent the spread of this illness. But now, 2009 H1N1 is a vaccine-preventable illness; vaccination is the best way to stop this pandemic. Our community now has the ability to achieve a much-greater level of prevention.”
To date, the Health Department has given approximately 800 doses of the 2009 H1N1 FluMist at the Eastgate Town Center location in three days. There are a total of 400 future appointments booked.
Appointments are still available and can be made quickly and easily by calling the Health Department’s hotline at 209-8393.
At this time, appointments can be made for the next day or two, and wait times at the Eastgate Town Center location are brief.
In addition to weekday appointments, evening and Saturday appointments are available.
2009 H1N1 vaccine shipments will be arriving at the Health Department on a continual basis. Parents of children under 10 are reminded to return 4 weeks after the first vaccine is given, so that an additional dose can be administered. The Health Department is currently focusing vaccination efforts on CDC-identified priority groups eligible for 2009 H1N1 FluMist.
The CDC-identified priority groups the Health Department will be making appointments for are individuals who:
· Are from 2 through 24 years of age
· Are from 25 through 49 years of age and
o Live with or care for infants younger than 6 months
o Are healthcare or emergency medical personnel
The Health Department will continue to announce future H1N1 vaccination clinics and vaccine shipments.
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_160929.asp
Tulsa County boy’s death confirmed H1N1 flu
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20091014_11_0_Tedaho122094
By SUSAN HYLTON World Staff Writer
Published: 10/14/2009 1:44 PM
Last Modified: 10/14/2009 2:38 PM
The death of a 4-year-old Tulsa County boy has been confirmed as being caused by the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, the Oklahoma State Department of Health said Wednesday. A laboratory sample sent to the OSHD confirmed the results after the boy tested positive for influenza A.
The child, who was a pre-K student at Cooper Elementary School, has not been identified.
Spokeswoman Pamela Williams of the OSHD said there have been eight lab-confirmed H1N1 deaths since Sept. 1, when such deaths began being reported to the Centers for Disease Control.
Three of the deaths occurred in children under 18 and most had an underlying medical condition, she said.
A Tulsa teenager died earlier this month from swine flue, state health officials confirmed last week.
LaTowyn Gaston, 16, was identified by his aunt, who said he had no previous chronic health problems. He died the day after his 16th birthday.
Tulsa Public Schools also released the following statement: “Tulsa Public Schools was saddened to learn of the death of a four-year-old student at Cooper Elementary School. Our hearts and prayers go out to the boy’s family and his classmates as they cope with this tragedy.”
By SUSAN HYLTON World Staff Writer