Cayman - Suspect flu death

[Chuck]

http://www.caymannewsservice.com/science-and-nature/2009/07/20/suspect-flu-death

Suspect flu death
Posted on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 15:06 in Science and Nature

(CNS): HSA officials have confirmed that they are investigation the circumstances surrounding the death of man in Cayman that could have died of the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu. Medical Director of Health Dr Greg Hoeksema confirmed that the man had presented to the hospital on Saturday but had not yet been tested for the flu virus and he could not confirm the cause of death.

He said, however, that the clinical presentation had indicated it could be the H1N1 and that investigations were continuing. He said a press briefing will be held at 4pm this afternoon when officials will be updating the local media with all the information they can.

So far, according to official statistics, some 43 people in Cayman have tested positive for the virus but that number has been expected to increase. Officials have also persistently said everyone who had contracted the virus here had suffered only mild symptoms of the disease.

[Chuck]

Re: Cayman - Suspect flu death

http://www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=10384015

HSA: No swine flu death

Monday 20th July, 2009 Posted: 17:07 CIT (22:07 GMT)

The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority confirmed Monday afternoon that a man?s death here was not related to the H1N1 virus.

The individual who died had not been tested for H1N1 prior to his passing, according to information obtained by the Caymanian Compass.

HSA officials said tests were conducted to determine what led to the death, and said Monday afternoon that the novel H1N1?09 virus did not contribute to it.

However, further tests were being conducted to determine whether the virus may have mutated into a new form.

?For the past six hours we have been diligently looking into this particular patient,? HSA Medical Director Dr. Greg Hoeksema said. ?A post mortem will conducted to determine the cause of death.?

The H1N1 virus has been spreading slowly but steadily through Cayman, with some 43 people testing positive for it at last count.

Thus far, health officials have said no one has died from the virus.