King County man dies from H1N1 “swine” flu

H1N1 viruses

A King County man has died due to complications of H1N1 “swine” flu infection, local health officials report.

The man, who was in his 20s, had underlying health problems that contributed to his death, officials said.

Dr. David Fleming, director and health officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County, urged King County residents to get the H1N1 vaccine, which is now becoming available in the area.

“This tragedy is a reminder that H1N1 influenza can be a very serious illness and that people with underlying health conditions are at higher risk for severe complications and death,” Dr. Fleming said. ” Vaccine is the best protection, and more doses will be arriving weekly to immunize people, beginning with people who need the protection most.”

Although in most cases H1N1 causes mild to moderate illnesses that can be treated at home, some cases can be life-threatening and, unlike typical seasonal flu which tends to hit the elderly hardest, younger people seem to be at higher risk for complications.

Since the spring, when the H1N1 outbreak began until the beginning of this month, 82 people in King County have had to be hospitalized.

Nearly one in four of these patients became so ill that they needed to be admitted to intensive care units.

Three of these 82 patients died.

So far only 20,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine have arrived in the King County.

These vaccines are being given to healthcare workers and emergency personnel so that they will be able to keep working during the epidemic and will not spread the disease to patients under their care.

Health officials expect another 30,000 doses are expected to arrive as early as this week.

These doses will be distributed to health providers so they can begin immunizing patients considered at high-risk for serious complications.

These patients include:

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• People between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old
• People between 25 through 64 years of age with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems

“Based on the best information currently available from CDC, larger supplies of vaccine needed for broader-scale administration to the public will begin to arrive in King County within the next several weeks. As more vaccine becomes available, vaccine will be provided through pharmacies, Public Health clinics and special community vaccination clinics,” health officials said.

To learn more:

• Please visit www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1 or call the Flu Hotline at 877-903-KING (5464) for frequent updates about vaccine availability and, once more vaccine arrives, locations where you can get H1N1 vaccinations.

Tags: H1N1, Influenza, Swine Flu, Vaccine

Category: Influenza