US - Missouri: Health department investigating mysterious deaths of St. Peters mother and son - H3N2 flu, staph co-infection suspected according to family members

[Treyfish]

Posted on February 26, 2015 at 5:04 PM
Updated today at 5:29 PM



ST. PETERS, Mo. (KMOV.com)-- A mysterious sudden death of a mother and her adult son are raising concerns of a possibly dangerous virus.
Zach Smith, 19, and his mother Rhonda Smith, 48, both of St. Peters, died within four days of each other after being in seemingly perfect health.;
The St. Charles County Health Department has been meeting with infectious disease doctors since Rhonda Smith's death early Thursday morning at Barnes St. Peters Hospital. "They checked him in, they thought he had pneumonia, and in a very short period of time, we're talking an hour or two, they came back and told us his health was declining dramatically," said Scott Dyer, a relative of the mother and son. ..
Zach Smith went to St. Joseph's health Center Friday after feeling flu-like symptoms. Over the next two days, Smith developed infections, his organs shut down, he went into cardiac arrest and died Sunday.
"They said the explanation of death was even more to the fact they felt it was a strand of the flu from Africa," said Dyer. ..Like Zach, Rhonda had severe respiratory problems. Her heart stopped eight times and was revived before she died twelve hours after being admitted. Doctors told the Smith's family members to get tested for the flu and chest X-rays in case they had something that could have been passed to them. .. http://www.kmov.com/news/st-charles-...#ixzz3SuEzhZEe

[Treyfish]

third possible case.. mentioned at the end of the video. http://myfox8.com/2015/02/26/mysteri...irus-concerns/

[Emily]

Hope they aren't missing a carbon monoxide danger in the home.

[alert]

I'm drawn to the phrase "a strand of the flu from Africa". Are they suspecting H5N1 as from Egypt? Is there a travel history to Africa? Or is this an Ebola or meningitis reference (although neither is flu)?

Or bizarrely, are they referring to a B/Victoria lineage influenza virus, and someone in the family made the errant connection between that Victoria (which I believe is in Australia) and Victoria falls in Africa?

[Pathfinder]

St. Charles County
Department of Community Health and Environment
Influenza Season 2014-2015

Report Date: February 20, 2015 ? CDC report week 7

Influenza season begins the beginning of October (week 40), since that time we have had 2711cases of influenza reported to our office; 2548 (94.0%) were type A, 123 (4.5%) were type B and 40 (1.5%) were unknown. Of the influenza type A cases, 51 have been subtyped A H3 and 1 is subtyped A H1.

Full report:

http://www.sccmo.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2462

[Pathfinder]

Posted on: February 27, 2015

SCC Health Asssisting Area Hospitals With Investigation of Two Deaths

February 27, 2015

CONTACT: Doug Bolnick, Public Information Officer, (636) 949-7408

St. Charles County, Missouri – The St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment believes that there is no widespread public health risk with regards to the deaths of two people reported in the community this week. The department is collaborating with two St. Charles County hospitals in an investigation into the cause of these two deaths.

Area hospital technicians and the Missouri State Laboratory are conducting testing to determine the cause of death for two family members from St. Charles County. Results of these examinations are expected within the next few days. However, all available data indicates that these are isolated events, and that there does not appear to be a greater public health threat.

“We extend condolences to the family and appreciate their cooperation as we seek answers to what may have caused these tragic deaths,” Department Director Hope Woodson said. “Hospital laboratory technicians and the Missouri State Laboratory are diligently working to determine a cause of death, which will enable medical providers to further treat those who may be affected. In the interim, if members of the community have medical concerns, we ask that they consult their personal medical provider.”

The St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment is committed to the protection and enhancement of health and the quality of life for all members of our community. Through three divisions — Public Health, Environmental Health and Protection, and Humane Services — the department provides a wide range of services that benefit residents and visitors. For more information, please visit www.sccmo.org or call (636) 949-7400.

Please remember that February is typically the peak of flu season in our community, although the “peak season” can extend into the late spring.
Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting an influenza vaccination, avoiding close contact with those who are sick, and washing your hands regularly with warm water and soap or an alcohol-based gel.

# # #

http://www.sccmo.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=170

[alert]

Is this a reference to the H3N2 seasonal drift? Or a non-circulating avian or swine virus?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2972210/Healthy-mother-48-son-19-die-mysterious-illness-just-days-apart.html

[snip]

Doctors say they may have been suffering from a strain of the flu not prevented by flu shots but they are carrying out further tests

[alert]

This blog set up by the family seems to indicate that flu and staph were both detected, at least in the son. It also clarifies that above statement, referring to a strain of flu that the flu shot is not VERY effective against, suggesting the drifted seasonal H3N2.

http://www.gofundme.com/mzt6vw

[alert]

MRSA co-infection now suspected:

http://www.kmov.com/news/st-charles-county-news/Missouri-officials-investigate-bacteria-as-cause-of-deaths-295190611.html