USA - 3 familial deaths, 2 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 4 test positive for Seasonal Influenza H3N2

[alert]

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

http://www.promedmail.org/

Published Date: 2012-03-06 17:57:18
Subject: PRO/EDR> Respiratory illness - USA: (MD) fatal cluster, RFI
Archive Number: 20120306.1062870

RESPIRATORY ILLNESS - USA: (MARYLAND) FATAL CLUSTER, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
************************************************** **************************
A ProMED-mail post

http://www.promedmail.org

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

http://www.isid.org

Tue 6 Mar 2012
Source: 4 NBC Washington [edited]

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Investigation-Begins-in-Mysterious-Calvert-Co-Deaths-141560013.html

Cluster of deaths following flu-like symptoms in Calvert County
---------------------------------------------------------------
The Calvert County Health Department [CCHD] is investigating a cluster of deaths following respiratory illnesses in the Lusby area. The county health department told News4 that 4 family members who live near the Calvert Cliffs nuclear facility fell ill with an unidentified respiratory illness at the end of February, [2012] and 3 died this month.

An 81 year old woman was the 1st to become sick, in late February. The woman's 3 adult children, 2 daughters and a son, traveled to her home to care for her. Subsequently, they became sick with similar health problems.

According to the health department, the 81 year old who died presented symptoms of respiratory illness on 23 Feb 2012 and died on 1 Mar 2012. The children showed symptoms around 28 Feb 2012, and were hospitalized in critical condition. Several days later, the 58 year old son and the 56 year old daughter died, and the 3rd daughter remains hospitalized.

Health officer David Rogers, in a statement released on 6 Mar 2012, said the county health department does not believe the illness represents a widespread health threat. "The cases appear to be confined to a single family," Rogers wrote, "and there are currently no other affected individuals at this time. CCHD is not recommending any protective actions for the general public."

In an earlier statement, the county erroneously reported 4 deaths.

The department recommends people with flu-like symptoms like fever, cough, or sore throat contact their doctors to see if they would benefit from antiviral or other medications. Currently, county health officials are not advising any specific preventive measures.

CCHD sent a message to area residents to say it was working together with health care providers to monitor the situation and determine a cause for the respiratory illness. A spokesperson told News4 the victims' proximity to the power plant was not believed to be a factor.

On Monday afternoon, a crew of health workers dressed in hazardous material suits entered the woman's house and collected more samples for testing.

[byline: Melissa Mollet]

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[This cluster of deaths within the same family due to an unidentified respiratory illness is an unusual event. Proximity to the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant is not considered to be a relevant factor, but specific diagnosis of the cause of these fatal illnesses will be necessary to reassure the local community.

Lusby is located in Calvert County, Maryland, and includes residents of the Chesapeake Ranch Estates-Drum Point community. The Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, and a compressed natural gas plant run by Dominion Resources, are both nearby. See map at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lusby,_Maryland. - Mod.CP]

[Shiloh]

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/nation...DvR_story.html

Three family members dead in cluster of respiratory illnesses in Calvert County; two from flu complications

By Lena H. Sun, Tuesday, March 6, 3:32 PM

Three members of a Calvert County , Md. family died in the past week following respiratory illnesses, two from complications from the flu, according to the chief medical officer at MedStar Washington Hospital Center where a fourth family member is being treated...

...The mother died at home March 1.

Her 58-year-old son and a 56-year-old daughter were initially hospitalized at Calvert Memorial Hospital. Both died Monday; the daughter at Calvert and the son at the hospital center, where he had been transferred...

...Tests confirmed the siblings who died had a type of flu virus known as influenza A, and each also acquired a serious staph infection, Orlowski said. She said it was unlikely the infection was acquired in the hospitals because the siblings arrived coughing blood, adding: ?It?s likely they came to the hospital with the infection, which is what caused the cough and fever.?

Tests are being conducted to determine whether the second daughter has the same influenza virus and infection. Officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will determine what strain of the influenza A virus infected the family, Orlowski said...

[alert]

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

This is the funeral home notice for the index case and includes her picture:

http://www.sewellfuneralhome.com/?menuitem=68&siteid=24&action=1&value=12&obituaries_action=2&obituaryid=116528

Name:
LOU RUTH BLAKE

Dates:
Birth date: October 12, 1930
Death date: March 01, 2012

Visitation:
AS OF 3/5/2012 ALL VISITATIONS AND FUNERAL SERVICES HAVE BEEN POSTPONED.

[alert]

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

http://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/info/status/systemalerts.asp#65

3-6-12 - Update from DHMH (State of Maryland) - 3/6/2012 8:10:13 PM




Update from the Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



Update on Calvert County Respiratory Illness Investigation

Preliminary Testing Indicates Influenza



BALTIMORE (March 6, 2012) - The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is working in conjunction with the Calvert County Health Department to investigate a cluster of respiratory illnesses in Calvert County. As the Calvert County Health Department has reported, DHMH is aware of four cases in adults from a single family with severe respiratory illness; three have died. At this time, no other similar clusters have been reported from Calvert County or elsewhere in the state.



The cause for these illnesses is under investigation and testing is being conducted by the DHMH Laboratories Administration. Preliminary testing at the DHMH Laboratories Administration indicates that two of the fatal cases had influenza, and these cases may have been complicated by bacterial co-infections. Bacterial co-infection is a known complication of influenza infection. Additional testing is being conducted for all cases.



DHMH recommends all individuals continue to take the following precautions during influenza season: hand washing, staying home if sick, and staying up to date with influenza vaccinations. DHMH also reminds Maryland residents with influenza-like illness (fever and sore throat or cough) to consult their healthcare providers for evaluation. DHMH is not recommending any additional measures at this time.

[alert]

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/three-dead-from-cluster-of-respiratory-illnesses-in-calvert-county-md/2012/03/06/gIQAztDDvR_story.html

[snip]

This year’s flu season has gotten off to a late start, but Orlowski said there has been an increase in the number of patients with flu-like symptoms in recent weeks. Hospital center officials are looking into at least one other recent death — unrelated to the Calvert cluster— to determine whether it was related to flu.

[Laidback Al]

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

Update on Calvert County Respiratory Illness Investigation
Preliminary Testing Indicates Influenza

Dori Henry
Director of Communications
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

BALTIMORE (March 6, 2012) ? The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) is working in conjunction with the Calvert County Health Department to investigate a cluster of respiratory illnesses in Calvert County. As the Calvert County Health Department has reported, DHMH is aware of four cases in adults from a single family with severe respiratory illness; three have died. At this time, no other similar clusters have been reported from Calvert County or elsewhere in the state.
The cause for these illnesses is under investigation and testing is being conducted by the DHMH Laboratories Administration. Preliminary testing at the DHMH Laboratories Administration indicates that two of the fatal cases had influenza, and these cases may have been complicated by bacterial co-infections. Bacterial co-infection is a known complication of influenza infection. Additional testing is being conducted for all cases.
DHMH recommends all individuals continue to take the following precautions during influenza season: hand washing, staying home if sick, and staying up to date with influenza vaccinations. DHMH also reminds Maryland residents with influenza-like illness (fever and sore throat or cough) to consult their healthcare providers for evaluation. DHMH is not recommending any additional measures at this time. The Department will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.
There have been no new cases reported as of 11:30 p.m. {EST}
For current info call 410-535-5400 x349

http://www.calverthealth.org/

[hawkeye]

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

From the article in post #1:

According to the health department, the 81-year-old died presented symptoms of respiratory illness on February 23, and died on March 1. The children showed symptoms around February 28, and were hospitalized in critical condition. Several days later, the 58-year-old son and the 56-year-old daughter died, and the third daughter remains hospitalized.

For me, the ages of the victims is standing out. Thanks everyone for continuing to track down information

[tetano]

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

DHMH LABORATORIES ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

During week 7 of 2012, the DHMH Laboratories Administration received a total of 79 specimens for influenza testing by PCR. Two were positive for type A (H1N1), seven were positive for type A (H3), and three were positive for type B.

The table below shows the breakdown of positive tests by influenza strain for the 2011-12 influenza season to date. More information on the valuable work done by the DHMH Laboratories Administration is available at http://dhmh.maryland.gov/labs.

http://www.dhmh.maryland.gov/fluwatch/SitePages/weeklyreport.aspx

[hawkeye]

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

News Video and photos (top left):

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. - A deadly outbreak of flu appears to have killed three people in Calvert County, all from the same family. The Calvert County Health Department began investigating the cluster of deaths on Monday trying to find the source of this outbreak.

Read more: http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/mary...#ixzz1oR9QVw1h

[sharon sanders]

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

Does not say which strain of influenza


PRESS RELEASE
FROM: David L. Rogers, MD MPH
Health Officer
DATE: March 7, 2012, 8:45 am

Initial testing of two of four family members in Lusby, three of whom have died, suggests that that the serious lung infection suffered by all four was a complication of seasonal flu. A fourth family member remains hospitalized at Washington Hospital Center and is improving.

Samples have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta for further testing.

These cases of serious lung infection were isolated to a single family and there are currently no other affected individuals. Local healthcare providers are not reporting any significant increase in patients with flu-like symptoms.

The illnesses in these family members began with an 81-year-old Lusby woman who developed respiratory symptoms at her home beginning on or about February 23, 2012. She was cared for at home by three of her children, a son and two daughters. The caregivers developed similar respiratory symptoms on or about February 28, 2012. The mother died at home on March 1, 2012. Following her death the three children were hospitalized. Subsequently the 58-year-old son and a 56-year-old daughter died.

As always, we recommend that everyone take routine precautions to prevent the spread of respiratory infections including hand washing and limiting contact with sick individuals. Those with flu-like symptoms, who develop cough, fever or sore throat, should be evaluated by their healthcare provider. Residents who have not received a seasonal flu vaccine are urged to get one from their healthcare provider or by calling Calvert County health department at 410-535-5400, ext. 349.
---end of press release---

http://www.calverthealth.org/

[Giuseppe]

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

Seasonal influenza: H1pdm, H3N2, B.

[James S]

Re: Discussion - Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

5th Calvert family member at hospital


By Lena H. Sun, Wednesday, March 7, 11:00 AM

A fifth member of the Calvert County family stricken by serious lung infections and complications of flu is at MedStar Washington Hospital Center for evaluation, a spokeswoman said Wednesday. Three family members have died in the past week.

The newest person to come under medical attention is the sister of Lou Ruth Blake, 81. Blake died at her home in Lusby on March 1. The sister has a fever but does not appear to have other flulike symptoms, the spokeswoman said.

snip

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/5th-calvert-family-member-at-hospital/2012/03/07/gIQAYZYFxR_story.html

[sharon sanders]

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

I called the public health department back and was told that the flu type was "seasonal flu A, H3 type". I specifically asked if it was swine flu type H3 and was told "No". I was told that it was not any kind of "swine" flu which also dismisses H1N1pdm09.

[sharon sanders]

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

I would like to know if these patients received the seasonal flu shot, and when. Also, I wonder about the reported "coughing" blood symptom and if this could have been caused by the bacterial co-infection.

[curiosity]

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

I would like to know if any healthcare workers working with the family are reporting illness and/or are being treated with preventive measures i.e., oseltamivir.

Also, there was a brief mention that another death was being investigated - not related to the family? Any further information?

Finally, a previously healthy teenager (6'3" and over 300lbs) living forty miles away recently c/o of sudden onset "Influenza Like Illness" then died with a final dx of pulmonary thromboembolism - research on pH1N1 victims (particularly during initial wave) associated pulmonary thromboembolism secondary to pH1N1 infection -

"ILI" is typically defined as respiratory complaint (cough, SOB) WITH other symptoms - especially high fever, not just a respiratory complaint as a pulmonary thromboembolus would present. Is there more to the initial ILI report in this patient that would indicate a possible influenza infection, too?