La Crosse Co.: H1N1 suspected in local boy?s death

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.lacrossetribune.com/news/...cc4c03286.html

H1N1 suspected in local boy?s death

By TERRY RINDFLEISCH trindfleisch@lacrossetribune.com | Posted: Thursday, October 29, 2009 12:15 am

Authorities are investigating whether the death of a 7-year-old La Crosse boy Wednesday might be flu related.

An autopsy will be done today at the Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner's Office in Hastings, La Crosse County Medical Examiner John Steers said after receiving the report Wednesday night.

The boy, who died after collapsing at his home, had been seen at a medical clinic for flu-like symptoms, Steers said.

"I don't know much at this point," Steers said Wednesday night. "But we will do an autopsy to rule out everything else."

He notified the La Crosse County Health Department. Doug Mormann, the department's director, said he will launch an investigation today.

If confirmed, the boy's death would be the second in the La Crosse area related to the H1N1 virus, also referred to as swine flu. A 21-month-old Cashton girl died of H1N1 flu complications Oct. 11.

As of Wednesday, the state was reporting 14 deaths related to H1N1 flu since spring. The new H1N1-related deaths include one from Eau Claire County, two in Milwaukee County and one in Oconto County, according to the state Department of Health Services.

Seventy hospitalizations due to the H1N1 flu virus have been reported in Wisconsin since Sept. 1. The state report showed 65 of 72 counties with confirmed H1N1 cases, and flu activity continued to increase across the state.

[Commonground]

Re: La Crosse Co.: H1N1 suspected in local boy?s death

Autopsy done-"No anatomical cause of death found"



Posted: <script type="text/javascript"> wnRenderDate('Thursday, October 29, 2009 5:19 PM EST', '', true); </script>Oct 29, 2009 5:19 PM
LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) - An autopsy done a 7-year-old La Crosse boy can't determine if he died from causes releated to the H1N1 virus.
The child died yesterday. Doug Mormann, Director of the La Crosse County Health, released the following statement:
Upon completion of the autopsy on the 7 year old male who died of apparent flu-like symptoms there was no anatomical cause of death found, cultures and other laboratory tests are pending. Confirmation of H1N1 will take several days to complete.
Doug Mormann, Director
La Crosse County Health Department
Mormann was unable to release anymore information on the death. If confirmed that the boy died from H1N1, it would be the second area child to die from the virus. October 11th, a 21-month-old Cashton child died from complications from the H1N1 virus.
In Rock County Thursday afternoon, another person was pronounced dead from H1N1 complications. With this death, in Wisconsin, since spring, 15 people have now died.

http://www.wxow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11409850

[Tonka]

Re: La Crosse Co.: H1N1 suspected in local boy?s death

http://www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/state-and-regional/article_a5a5668e-c506-11de-9715-001cc4c002e0.html

Boy?s death under investigation for H1N1 link
StoryDiscussionPosted: Friday, October 30, 2009 12:05 am | No Comments Posted

LA CROSSE, Wis. - Authorities continue to pursue H1N1 flu as a possible reason why a La Crosse second-grader died Wednesday after collapsing at his home.

An autopsy Thursday at the Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner's Office in Hastings did not determine a cause of death for State Road Elementary School student Cristian "C.J." Ehler, 7, said La Crosse County Medical Examiner John Steers.

Doug Mormann, La Crosse County Health Department director, said Ehler died of "apparent flu-like symptoms" and the autopsy revealed no obvious physical cause of death.

Results from cultures and lab tests are pending, Mormann said, and confirmation of H1N1 could take several days.

A physician saw the boy, the son of Glenda and Tim Ehler, on Wednesday for a fever and pneumonia, according to a letter Principal Dave Gluch sent to parents and staff.

Teachers notified parents of students in Ehler's State Road Elementary class and his brother Josh Ehler's fifth-grade class about the death. The La Crosse School District did not have classes Thursday or today because of a teachers' convention.

Superintendent Jerry Kember said Thursday classes will resume Monday as planned.

"We believe ... students are safe to return to school on Monday," Kember said. "We need to be careful. We believe the school is safe."

The school district continues to follow county health department and Centers for Disease Control guidelines, Kember said. That includes increasing its cleaning efforts and available flu-prevention supplies for students.

The numbers of absent students dropped Wednesday to 7.9 percent, which Kember said "during the flu season is pretty normal" for La Crosse's 15 buildings.

Gluch said information is available on the State Road School Web site to help parents talk to their children about Ehler's death and understand their grief.

"He was always smiling, always saying hello and always asking, 'How are you doing, Mr. Gluch?'" Gluch said. "He was just a beautiful boy who will be missed.

"He played with everybody. He was so friendly."

State Road Elementary School is "big, extended family," Gluch said.

"Our hearts go out to the Ehler family. We're there to support them and do what we can for them and the rest of our students and families."

If confirmed, Ehler's death would be the second in the Coulee Region related to the H1N1 virus, also referred to as swine flu. A 21-month old Cashton, Wis., girl died of H1N1 flu complications Oct. 11.

As of Wednesday, the state had reported 14 deaths related to H1N1 flu since spring. Seventy hospitalizations due to H1N1 have been reported in Wisconsin since Sept. 1. The state Department of Health Services report showed 65 of 72 counties had confirmed H1N1 cases, and flu activity continued to increase across the state.

The state Department of Public Instruction reported the Omro and Elcho school districts shut down because of flu-like illness until next week. They were joined by eight other individual schools

Posted in State-and-regional, Local, Flu on Friday, October 30, 2009 12:05 am Updated: 8:27 am. | Tags: Flu,

[Pathfinder]

Re: La Crosse Co.: H1N1 suspected in local boy?s death

Cristian Joel (CJ) Ehler<SCRIPT type=text/javascript><!-- function NewWindow(height,width,url) { window.open(url,"ShowProdWindow","menubars=0,scrol lbars=1,resizable=1,height="+height+",width="+widt h); }//--></SCRIPT><SCRIPT type=text/javascript><!--var gwmInherited = encodeURIComponent('/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091104/SHE010301/911040458/1067/SHE01');var gwmISO = encodeURIComponent('200911040402');var gwmCat = encodeURIComponent('SHE010301');var gwmArtNo = encodeURIComponent('911040458');var gwmHead = encodeURIComponent('Cristian Joel (CJ) Ehler');document.write("");document.write("<ul>"); document.write("<li class=\"print\">Print this page");document.write("<li class=\"email\">E-mail this article");document.write("<\/ul>");document.write("<\/div>");//--></SCRIPT>

Our Lord blessed us with Cristian Joel "CJ" Ehler on March 25, 2002, and he went to be with his heavenly father on Wednesday, October 28, 2009, from complications of pneumonia. He was only 7 years old and a second-grader at State Road Elementary School, La Crosse, WI.

CJ was our angel in life and is now watching over us in heaven. CJ had the kindest spirit and personality, and he just loved life. Ask any of his many friends anything about CJ and the answers would be "He's one of the nicest and most wonderful kids around." He always wanted everyone to be happy. CJ touched so many hearts and so many lives in the short amount of time he was here. He brought so much happiness to everyone he met.

Every day was a new and exciting adventure for him. We are so grateful that God let us have him for the precious 7 years and 7 months on earth. He was the best son and brother anyone could have.

CJ left behind his loving parents, Tim and Glenda; his oldest brother, Joshua age 10; his little brother, Adrian age 4; and his new baby brother due in February whom CJ couldn't wait to meet. He is also survived by his loving maternal grandparents, Nora and Augusto Sanchez of Fajardo, Puerto Rico; his paternal grandparents, the Rev. Donald and Darlene Ehler of Hillsboro, WI; his uncles, Matthew Ehler of La Crosse, and "Tio" Augus Sanchez of San Juan, Puerto Rico; his aunt, Elizabeth (John) Blum of La Crosse; and his cousins, Drew Blum of La Crosse; Sofia and Daliana Sanchez of San Juan. He is further survived by his maternal great-grandmother, Blanca Moreira of Fajardo; his paternal great-grandmothers, Wilma Ehler of Sheboygan, and Lucienne Justus of Phoenix; and his great-aunt, Judy (Ehler) (Sam) Walker of Sheboygan and numerous other family and friends.

CJ was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandfathers and great-grandmother and his paternal great-grandfathers, Alex Ehler and John Justus.

An example of how sweet our little boy was: He wanted to be an ice cream truck driver when he grew up. We asked him why? We told him there was not a lot of money driving an ice cream truck. His answer, "I like to make people happy, and ice cream makes them happy." We talked more and we mentioned some people may not be able to afford the ice cream.
Once again he replied, "I don't care, I'll give it to them." God only takes the best. He will be dearly missed. CJ's school Principal Dave Gluch said "CJ was always smiling, always saying hello and always asking, 'How are you doing, Mr. Gluch?' He was just a beautiful boy who will be missed. He played with everybody. He was so friendly."

In the garden of life there are many flowers. Our CJ was one of the most beautiful ones, and now our Lord has our most beautiful flower.

The funeral service was held Monday, November 2, in La Crosse with nearly a 1000 people attending the viewing and funeral.

Condolences may be sent to Tim and Glenda Ehler, 2405 Farnam Street, La Crosse, WI 54601.

Email condolences to support@ballhornchapels.com.

The Sheboygan Press
November 4, 2009




Cristian Joel (CJ) Ehler

http://www.sheboyganpress.com/articl...458/1067/SHE01

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: La Crosse Co.: H1N1 suspected in local boy?s death

The La Crosse Health Department now says a 7-year-old La Crosse boy did not die from the swine flu virus as once thought. More tests are being done to find out his exact cause of death.

A vaccine clinic for high risk children is going on until 6:30 Monday night at the Augusta Community Center. Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. to 6-:30 p.m. there's another clinic at Trinity Lutheran Church in Eau Claire.

The Trempealeau County Health Department is also holding free clinics at county school districts through Thursday. You can get vaccinated until 8:00 p.m. Monday night at Whitehall Memorial High School.

http://www.weau.com/news/headlines/69615827.html