Posted on 06/24/2009 8:04:24 AM PDT by metmom
Vaccine for H1N1 becoming more readily available in Va.
http://hamptonroads.com/2009/12/vaccine-h1n1-becoming-more-readily-available-va
They are trying to reach out to hard-to-reach sectors of the public (Spanish speaking, college aged).
Currently, only 11% of Virginians have been vaccinated .They’d like to get it up to 30%.
Also. “Responding to reports of a shortage of the vaccine for the seasonal flu, Remley said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that 96 percent of that vaccine already has been distributed.”
Canada - Alberta
Possible H1N1 death
http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20091217/CGY_h1n1_death_091217/20091217/?hub=CalgaryHome
Updated: Thu Dec. 17 2009 12:23:04
The family of a man who died suddenly on Thursday morning is questioning whether his death was H1N1 related.
The 35-year-old man was in the same intensive care unit as 16-year-old, Michael Gorbous, who died Tuesday from H1N1.
CTV News spoke to the family and they say they don’t want to release the man’s name yet.
They did say that he was sick for a month and was treated as if he had H1N1 even though that diagnosis wasn’t confirmed.
He was on life support and seemed to be recovering when he was released from the hospital but he died suddenly this morning.
His family says if his death is from H1N1, they want people to know about it because they are concerned everyone is becoming complacent about the virus and they are urging people to get vaccinated.
The man was married with two children and did have underlying risk factors.
Alberta Health Services has not confirmed if this is being called an H1N1 related death.
two new deaths in Lucas County, Ohio....
Two men die of influenza in Lucas County, one from H1N1
BLADE STAFF
Two middle-aged Lucas County men with other health problems have died from influenza complications, including a 52-year-old cancer patient who had H1N1, according to the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department.
Thomas Miles, Sr., of Toledo died of H1N1 complications last month at the University of Toledo Medical Center, formerly the Medical College of Ohio, according to county death filings.
Meanwhile, a 51-year-old man with heart and other health problems recently died from influenza, although his death certificate was not more specific, said Larry Vasko, deputy health commissioner.
Neither man had the H1N1 vaccine as far as the health department could determine, although both were in a high-priority group because they were younger than 64 and had a chronic condition, Mr. Vasko said.
Those with cancer or other illnesses may not be able to get vaccinated, but their family members and others who care for them should be, he said.
“Definitely if you’re sick or you’re around people who are sick, you need to be vaccinated,” Mr. Vasko said.
The health department began H1N1 clinics this week for everyone who wants them.
The death Nov. 13 of Mr. Miles is the first known fatal H1N1-related case in Lucas County.
[snip]
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091217/NEWS16/912179961
further info on underlying medical conditions for Conor Babula - whose death was previously reported in Warren County, New Jersey...
Conor Babula, the region’s first confirmed H1N1 fatality, is remembered as a special young man
By Express-Times staff
December 17, 2009, 12:32AM
A beloved 21-year-old Harmony Township man already burdened with health issues is the first individual from the Hunterdon, Northampton and Warren County region to die from the H1N1 virus.
Conor Patrick Babula, born with congenital heart problems and Down Syndrome, died Nov. 25 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J.
“He had been vaccinated against the regular flu, but we had not gotten to the H1N1,” Conor’s mother, Maureen Babula said.
Conor was proud to be a Fourth-Degree Knight of Columbus and had medaled in the Special Olympics in his final year at Belvidere High School.
AND another family not given the official dx before the media is advised...
Conor Babula, 21, identified as first from Warren, Northampton, Hunterdon counties to die of H1N1Thursday, December 17, 2009
By KURT BRESSWEIN
The Express-Times
The medical professionals who surrounded Conor Babula when he fell ill last month suspected immediately he had H1N1, according to his mother, Maureen Babula.
As of Wednesday, when New Jersey health officials announced Warren County’s first H1N1 death, Maureen and her husband, George Babula, still had not gotten firsthand confirmation.
But they knew through a friend in the Warren County Health Department that their son had contracted the new virus and that it had led to his death Nov. 25. He was 21.
“He had been vaccinated against the regular flu, but we had not gotten to the H1N1,” Maureen Babula said. His physician had not received the vaccine, George Babula interjected, speaking by telephone from the Harmony Township home the couple shared with Conor Babula. Another son, Justin Babula, lives in Toms River, N.J.
News of the first death linked to H1N1 in Warren, Hunterdon and Northampton counties came as New Jersey and Pennsylvania lifted limits on who is eligible for the vaccine.
Health care providers can immunize anyone who wants it, the states’ health officials said this week, instead of limiting its availability to target groups identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Conor Babula would have fit into those target groups. Born with congenital heart problems, he also battled Down syndrome.
At his viewing, where more than 400 people signed the guest book, and in the sympathy cards that have arrived by mail, Maureen Babula was struck by how much people had accepted him.
He had changed others’ lives and attitudes, his mother said.
“The outpouring has been so amazing,” said Maureen Babula, a former Harmony Township mayor. “What was such great consolation is how he touched so many lives.”
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/warren-county/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1261026358274930.xml&coll=3
It sounds as though the family was well aware of his probable H1N1 status from his doctors, and I’m all for getting the names, etc of each and every H1N1 fatality. BUT can’t the state health dept’s make a quick phone call to families before they release info?
Pennsylvania:
(4) more fatalities have been added to the PA DOH website for 12.17.09 that have not been in news reports.
They are for Philadelphia County .
PA DOH: http://www.h1n1inpa.com/newsroom/pa-situation-update/
ToTAL Per PA DOH: 70
Adams-1
Allegheny-6
Armstrong-2
Beaver-1
Berks-3
Butler Co-1
Centre- 1
Chester -1
Clearfield-2
Columbia-1
Crawford -1
Dauphin -1
Delaware -1
Erie-1
Fayette-3
Huntingdon-1
Jefferson-1
Lebanon-1
Lehigh-2
Luzerne-1
Mercer-1
Montgomery-5
Philadelphia-19 (4 New!)
Pike-1
Potter-1
Schuylkill 1
Tioga 1
Washington-4
Westmoreland-1
York-4
________________________
TOTAL Per PA DOH: 70
My count: 72
NOTES:
TOTAL Questionable Entries: (2)
Greene Co —(1 entry) Still NOT on DOH website
PADeath#42-(GreeneCo)26y/oKevinBrown-Died 11.09.09
Blair Co—(1 entry) They still have NOT added in one ‘Blair County’ death, yet:(Per this news report: “The number doesn’t include the two Blair County swine flu patients, whose deaths the department hasn’t confirmed were caused by the illness”). Source: http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/co...id/524371.html )
Dec 17, 2009 7:12 pm US/Central Family Mourns Father, Urges H1N1 Flu Vaccination
Mike Milbrath with his three daughters, Shelby, Kate and Abby.
CBS
“We’ve got many wonderful pictures of the wedding day,” said Cheryl Milbrath, as she paged through a photo album. “Precious now, precious pictures.”
In October, Cheryl’s husband Mike got a fever and ended up in the hospital.
“Like you could tell he was sick, but he’s like, ‘Oh, this is just precautionary, I’m going to be fine,’” recalled daughter Abby Gibson.
“It just never crossed our minds that he would die from H1N1,” said daughter Kate Kupcho.
On Oct. 24, after a week-and-a-half in the hospital, Mike Milbrath died. He was only 54, a healthy man with no underlying health problems.
As a health administrator at Waseca Medical Center, Mike used to come home and tell Cheryl about the steps his hospital was taking to guard against H1N1. Because he didn’t work directly with patients, Mike wasn’t eligible to get vaccinated.
“He was just very concerned that people were not taking it seriously enough. And he said, ‘There’s going to be a pandemic, and people are going to die,’” Cheryl recalled. “And never in a million years did we think it would be him.”
“He’d love this time of the year,” said Kupcho. “He would always say, ‘Oh, now all my girls are home.’”
Mike Milbrath’s girls want people to take H1N1 seriously.
“Tomorrow’s not guaranteed. It could affect anybody. That’s what’s so scary about it. A healthy 54-year-old man, you know?” said Gibson.
“If you can get the vaccine, get the vaccine,” urged Kupcho. “Be contentious of everyone else, was your hands, just those simple things that you can do/”
Mike’s family won’t ever forget the guy who loved his faith, his family and the Minnesota Twins. He was “understanding, joked around, easy to be with,” said daughter Shelby.
They know Mike would have wanted everyone to get vaccinated against H1N1, especially now that vaccine is available to the general population.
“In Minnesota alone there’s 44 families that are going through the same thing that we’re going through, and I would hate for anybody else to go through this,” Cheryl said.
Family whose house burned also lost child to swine flu
Orem » Police, firefighters set up collection to help family that lost everything
By Lindsay Whitehurst
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 12/17/2009 06:22:39 PM MST
The suffering, it seems, won’t end for Rick Kuester’s family.
They lost 9-year-old Samantha to H1N1 swine flu in October and a large part of their home to a fire this week.
“[We’re] just wondering what more the Lord wants from us,” Rick Kuester said.
Samantha often had seizures when she was sick, and the flu brought on another seizure Oct. 19.
“No one was around when it happened, so there was no one around to help her,” he said. The girl, one of six children, died in bed.
In the weeks after her death, the family started to cope. But then, on Wednesday, Rick and his wife, Jennifer, both crossing guards for the city of Orem, left the house on the 100 East block of 800 South to help elementary school students cross the street.
About 15 minutes later, an overloaded socket in their bedroom sparked a fire. The plug had a six-socket surge protector in it and five of the six plugs were in use, firefighters said. Asleep on the couch in the front room were 13-year-old Robin, home sick, and 4-year-old Rebecca, Kuester said. They saw the smoke and flames and ran outside.
The fire consumed the master bedroom and ripped through the rest of the house, causing an estimated $125,000 in damage.
“We were starting to come to terms with [Samantha’s death],” he said. “Then this happens and it’s like it’s all starting all over again.”
The blaze destroyed all of the family’s possessions, including their Christmas presents, Kuester said.
“We had all the Christmas stuff in the room, in the master bedroom, where the fire happened,” he said. There were board games, video games, music — all presents for the children.
For the time being, the Red Cross has provided a hotel room until they can find someplace more permanent to stay, he said. Orem police and firefighters also stepped forward to help, asking the public for donations and starting a collection, which had about $9,000 worth of donations in cash, furniture and other items by Thursday afternoon, said Orem police Sgt. Craig Martinez.
Provo-based Peay Construction gave the family $2,000, and offered to donate labor when the home is ready to be rebuilt, Martinez said. An anonymous donor offered to pay for three months of rent before they can move into the house, as well as buy furniture, and an anonymous business gave them a Christmas tree.
“You hate to see people go through one tragedy before the holidays, much less two,” said Martinez. “It’s amazing. Being a police officer, you always see the negative in a lot of people. It’s kind of a refreshing breath of fresh air to see so many people willing to give so much, especially with the economy and during Christmas time.”
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14020740
Swine Flu Forces Rams To Cancel Practice
17th December, 2009 - 7:25 pm
SI.com - The St. Louis Rams canceled practice Thursday due to an undisclosed number of swine flu cases on the team.
Steve Spagnuolo would not say how many players had the illness but said five or six players had flulike symptoms, and added that other players had reported symptoms the last few weeks. He anticipated the Rams would return to practice on Friday with a workout that will incorporate some of the elements missed on Thursday.
“It’s really more of a precaution than anything,” Spagnuolo said. “We’re checking everybody, we’re just being careful.” [READ]
3 new deaths in Kay, Cherokee and Rogers Counties, Oklahoma....
3 more swine flu deaths confirmed
Associated Press - December 17, 2009 5:15 PM ET
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma State Department of Health says three more people have died as a result of complications from the swine flu.
According to a report released Thursday, the latest deaths bring to 39 the number of Oklahomans who have died of swine flu since Sept. 1. Another person died in June.
Health Department spokeswoman Pam Williams says lab tests within the past week confirmed that an adult female in Kay County, an adult male in Cherokee County and an adult female in Rogers County died from complications of the virus.
The agency says among those who have died, 26 had a history of at least one underlying medical condition that may have increased their risk of flu complications. Those conditions include asthma, diabetes and obesity.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=11695651
Two more die of H1N1 in South Dakota for season total to 23
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20091217/UPDATES/91217036/1001/news
Jon Walker December 17, 2009
Health officials report two more deaths in South Dakota to the H1N1 flu virus, bringing the total to 23 this season.
The deaths were in Pennington and Brown counties. They are the first since mid-November. The spread of H1N1 has been in decline for several weeks, but officials urge that all residents receive the vaccine the government is providing.
A free public clinic with H1N1 vaccine is this afternoon and running until 8 tonight at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Other cities also have clinics. A list is at h1n1.sd.gov.
Six of the deaths have been in Pennington County, three in Minnehaha and two each in Brown, Shannon and Todd counties. Brookings, Buffalo, Clay, Codington, Davison, Turner, Union and Walworth counties have had one death each.
identification of the young woman who died in Marion County Florida - reported on PFI on 12/9/09...
Trust fund established for H1N1 victim
Staff report
Published: Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 11:48 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 11:49 a.m.
OCALA - A trust fund has been set up for the 20-year-old Marion County woman who died from the H1N1 flu virus.
Jamie Lynn Luttrell died Dec. 8 after being hospitalized at Munroe Regional Medical Center for three weeks.
Her family has set up a trust fund at Wachovia Bank under James Glen Luttrell of Summerfield to help the family pay for funeral and hospital expenses.
Her aunt, Debra Garr, said Jamie Luttrell left a 3-year-old son and was planning to attend college in the spring semester.
A wake will be held Friday at Roberts Funeral Home with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Swine Flu Forces Rams To Cancel Practice
17th December, 2009 - 7:25 pm
SI.com - The St. Louis Rams canceled practice Thursday due to an undisclosed number of swine flu cases on the team.
Steve Spagnuolo would not say how many players had the illness but said five or six players had flulike symptoms, and added that other players had reported symptoms the last few weeks. He anticipated the Rams would return to practice on Friday with a workout that will incorporate some of the elements missed on Thursday.
“It’s really more of a precaution than anything,” Spagnuolo said. “We’re checking everybody, we’re just being careful.” [READ]
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/12/17/rams.ap/index.html
(..)
Players were seen driving away from Rams Park shortly before noon after consulting with medical staff. Team spokesman Ted Crews said players received medication before leaving.
(..)
A Claim That Swine Flu Caused 18 Deaths At San Fernando Hospital.
December 17th, 2009.
http://www.i955fm.com/News.aspx?id=8191
The claim that there have been 18 Swine Flu related deaths at the San Fernando General Hospital is being denied.
Yesterday, Opposition MP Subhas Panday said he has evidence that 18 people have died as a result of H1N1 at the San Fernando Hospital.
Before members of the media, Mr. Panday waved around a list of names, saying they died as a result of the H1N1 virus.
Mr. Panday said doctors at the hospital are also helping in the cover-up for fear of losing their jobs.
He said those who died came from areas like, Couva, Barrackpore, Fyzabad and Princes Town.
He said the cause of death has been put as Bronchial Pneumonia.
But the hospital’s Medical Director, Dr. Anand Chattergoon is denying the allegation of the MP.
Dr. Chatoorgoon is quoted as saying the hospital has no information of 18 patients dying from Swine Flu.
Dr. Chatoorgoon says deaths from Bronchial Pneumonia, as shown by Mr. Panday are not necessarily caused by the Swine Flu.
According to Dr. Chatergoon, all patients showing symptoms of the Swine Flu are admitted to the hospital.
He says in some cases they were sent to the I.C.U. when breathing problems were discovered.
Dr. Chattergoon says the blood tests taken from patients are sent directly to he Ministry of Health in keeping with PAHO’s policy.
S-2 Flu
Joined: 03 Dec 2006
Posts: 1682
Location: Alabama
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:06 pm Post subject: Daily Fatality Summary
DAILY FATALITY SUMMARY(Reports posted on December 17,2009)
UNITED STATES—17
Idaho 1
Maine 4
North Carolina 1
Ohio 2
Oklahoma 3
Pennsylvania 4
South Dakota 2
CANADA—1
Alberta 1*
WORLDWIDE—11
Romania 2
South Korea 1*
United Kingdom 3
Vietnam 2
Yemen 3
NOTES:The US death toll is 2446 with 322 being children.
The Alberta Canada death is a suspect case.
South Korea has had it`s first death from a tamiflu resistant strain.
:
http://www.singtomeohmuse.com/viewforum.php?f=1
H1N1 DAILY REPORTS FRIDAY DECEMBER 19 ,2009
H1N1 DAILY REPORTS FRIDAY DECEMBER 18 ,2009
Vietnam’s H1N1 death toll climbs to 50
http://www.thanhniennews.com/healthy/?catid=8&newsid=54258
The death of three more people last week, including that of two pregnant women, have taken the nation’s death toll from the influenza A (H1N1) virus to 50, the health ministry reported Wednesday.
One woman, 28, from the central province of Quang Tri was six months pregnant, while the other, 23, from the northern province of Nam Dinh, was 33 weeks pregnant.
The third swine flu victim was a child who died at the Hanoi-based Vietnam National Hospital Pediatrics.
Since the disease was first detected here, over 11,040 infection cases have been confirmed, Nguyen Huy Nga, head of the ministry’s Department of Preventive Health and Environment, told a meeting on flu control the same day.
According to Nga, while the epidemic seemed to be slowing down with fewer patients brought to the hospital over the past weeks – around 10 people per day, most of them were in critical condition.
Suspected H1N1 victim’s kin lock up medic (India)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Suspected-H1N1-victims-kin-lock-up-medics/articleshow/5350127.cms
18 December 2009,
the residence of Ashwani Kumar, a 35-year-old barber from Longowal who died of suspected swine flu on way to PGI, Chandigarh, on Thurday. His death agitated the members of his family so much that they locked up a team of medics which had come to their residence for their medical examination.
Not stopping at that, they led their neighbours and relatives in laying siege to a primary health centre in protest against the “cold and apathetic response” of the senior medical officer to their queries regarding the cremation.
The agitating assemblage relented only after the intervention of Sangrur SDM Upkar Singh and police, even as officiating chief medical officer HS Bali led a team of doctors in holding peace parleys and examining the family members for flu symptoms.
The incident happened on Thursday, beginning with Kumar’s death in the wee hours.
Benefit planned for family of H1N1 victim (Wisconsin)
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/news/local/article_d38b1752-eb8e-11de-b41c-001cc4c002e0.html
December 18, 2009
Diane Dunnum knew her young granddaughter wasn’t feeling well in October, but she figured teething was to blame.
“I just wish she could have told us what was wrong,” Dunnum said. “But she was too young to know, and much too young to die.”
Aberianna Noel Dunnum, of Cashton, became the area’s first H1N1 flu victim when she died Oct. 11 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
The energetic 21-month-old left behind a heartbroken family that includes her mother, Debra Komperud, and father, Darrin Dunnum, plus a 6-month-old brother and 6-year-old sister.
Aberianna’s family continues to struggle with medical and funeral expenses.
“It’s been really hard on the family,” Diane Dunnum said. “We’re mentally and physically exhausted.”
A benefit has been set for Saturday to help the family offset the mounting bills.
Diane Dunnum said the benefit will be filled with music and dancing, something her granddaughter enjoyed at a family gathering just 24 hours before her death.
“She loved to dance, and we loved to watch her,” Diane Dunnum said.
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