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Infant Dies of Swine Flu
33 county residents killed by H1N1 virus, officials say
By ERIC S. PAGE
Updated 5:12 PM PST, Wed, Nov 18, 2009
The H1N1 virus has caused the death of an otherwise healthy baby girl, according to health officials.
The child was 4 months old and had no known underlying health conditions, according to the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency. County officials said the baby's cause of death was initially believed to be sudden infant death syndrome, but they later determined it was actually related to swine flu. The girl had flu-like symptoms, according to authorities, and her parents brought her to Children's Hospital, where she died on Nov. 12.
County public health officer Wilma Wooten discussed the baby's death at a news conference on Wednesday.
"If a child that age -- up to 5 years old -- gets a fever, shows symptoms, the parents should seek medical care as soon as possible because they can go down the tubes really fast," Wooten said.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 37 people in the county have died of swine flu, including four non-residents. More than 600 people have been hospitalized as a result of the virus.
Last week, health officials said a 43-year-old woman with no medical problems was killed by swine flu. They said then that she was sixth person to die with no health issues besides the H1N1 virus. On Oct. 9, 5-year-old Alitza Ortiz-Sanchez, whose heart simply stopped beating after she was rushed to Children's Hospital, died of swine flu.
Also on Wednesday, the county said its six public health centers and one immunization clinic had each received between 20 to 60 additional doses of injectable H1N1 vaccine. This limited supply will be available for pregnant women.
Patients can go to the county's Web site or call 211 for additional information on the H1N1 influenza or vaccine availability at county facilities.
First Published: Nov 18, 2009 4:22 PM PST
33 county residents killed by H1N1 virus, officials say
By ERIC S. PAGE
Updated 5:12 PM PST, Wed, Nov 18, 2009
The H1N1 virus has caused the death of an otherwise healthy baby girl, according to health officials.
The child was 4 months old and had no known underlying health conditions, according to the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency. County officials said the baby's cause of death was initially believed to be sudden infant death syndrome, but they later determined it was actually related to swine flu. The girl had flu-like symptoms, according to authorities, and her parents brought her to Children's Hospital, where she died on Nov. 12.
County public health officer Wilma Wooten discussed the baby's death at a news conference on Wednesday.
"If a child that age -- up to 5 years old -- gets a fever, shows symptoms, the parents should seek medical care as soon as possible because they can go down the tubes really fast," Wooten said.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 37 people in the county have died of swine flu, including four non-residents. More than 600 people have been hospitalized as a result of the virus.
Last week, health officials said a 43-year-old woman with no medical problems was killed by swine flu. They said then that she was sixth person to die with no health issues besides the H1N1 virus. On Oct. 9, 5-year-old Alitza Ortiz-Sanchez, whose heart simply stopped beating after she was rushed to Children's Hospital, died of swine flu.
Also on Wednesday, the county said its six public health centers and one immunization clinic had each received between 20 to 60 additional doses of injectable H1N1 vaccine. This limited supply will be available for pregnant women.
Patients can go to the county's Web site or call 211 for additional information on the H1N1 influenza or vaccine availability at county facilities.
First Published: Nov 18, 2009 4:22 PM PST
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