2nd A/H1N1 flu death reported in Ky

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.kentucky.com/471/story/961086.html

Friday, Oct. 02, 2009

2nd swine flu death reported in Ky
The Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A spokesman for Louisville's mayor says a 41-year-old woman who died late last month had swine flu.

Mayoral spokesman Chris Poynter said Friday that lab results indicated the woman had the H1N1 virus. Poynter says the woman appeared to have no other health problems.

It's the second reported swine flu death in Kentucky. The first fatality was a Fayette County woman in her 50s who officials said had "significant underlying health conditions."

Health officials also are trying to determine whether swine flu contributed to a recent death in western Kentucky.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: 2nd A/H1N1 flu death reported in Ky

Source: http://www.courier-journal.com/arti...n++41++is+Louisville+s+first+swine-flu+victim

Woman, 41, is Louisville’s first swine-flu victim

By Laura Ungar • lungar@courier-journal.com • October 2, 2009


A 41-year-old Louisville woman has died of complications of the H1N1 flu, better known as swine flu, according to local public health officials.
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The woman, who is the city’s first victim of H1N1, died Sept. 21 of lung problems related to swine flu, a release from the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health & Wellness.

The victim, whose name has not been released, had no apparent underlying medical conditions, the release said.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family,” said Adewale Troutman, director of the health department.

She is the second confirmed death from swine flu. The first death was a Fayette County woman in her 50s. A third death is being investigated from Caldwell County.

“This case is unusual,” Troutman said. “ … I want to emphasize that in the vast major of H1N1 cases — in Louisville, in Kentucky and in United States — people have recovered and have not had to seek medical treatment. There is no evidence of an increase in the virulence of the H1N1 virus.”

A press conference is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the health department at 400 E. Gray St.

Check www.courier-journal.com for updates.

Reporter Laura Ungar can be reached at (502) 5....

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: 2nd A/H1N1 flu death reported in Ky

2nd swine flu death reported in Ky

10/2/2009, 1:40 p.m. CDT

BRUCE SCHREINER
The Associated Press

(AP) ? LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A Louisville woman became the second Kentuckian to die from complications of swine flu, but health officials said the virus gaining a foothold in the state isn't picking up strength.

The 41-year-old woman's death on Sept. 21 was caused by pneumonia related to swine flu, officials said.

The death was reported a few days before the scheduled first arrival of swine flu vaccine in Kentucky. The flu outbreak prompted school officials to cancel classes in some Kentucky districts this week.

The latest victim had no apparent underlying medical conditions, making her death unusual for swine flu cases, said Dr. Adewale Troutman, director of the Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness Department.

In the state's previous swine flu death, officials said the victim-a Fayette County woman in her 50s-had "significant underlying health conditions." Health officials are trying to determine whether swine flu contributed to another recent death in western Kentucky.

Still, Troutman reported no change in the severity or transmissibility of the H1N1 virus.

"There's nothing to indicate that the disease is getting any worse," he said.

Troutman said the swine flu has been no more serious than the regular seasonal flu, and that in most cases people have recovered from H1N1 without medical treatment.

Kentucky's public health commissioner, Dr. William Hacker, said the flu outbreak is widespread in Kentucky, and called it "a tragedy when we lose a Kentuckian to any illness."

Hacker told reporters Thursday that the swine flu symptoms are similar to seasonal flu, and so far H1N1 appears no more severe. But he cautioned that influenza has the potential to cause serious illness.

Each year, about 500 Kentuckians die of seasonal flu, according to state health officials.

Kentucky health officials requested swine flu vaccine on Wednesday, the first day for orders, and expect initial shipments of 24,300 nasal spray doses to arrive statewide next week.

The initial batch will go to county and district health departments and be distributed to doctors and other health providers. That first batch will be targeted for certain groups-health care workers under age 50; people ages 49 or under who care for or have close contact with children under 6 months old; and young children and young adults, according to state epidemiologist Dr. Kraig Humbaugh.

Larger shipments of vaccine are expected to arrive in steady fashion for larger segments of the population, and officials said swine flu shots should begin in coming weeks.

Troutman said lab studies so far have found no significant change in the genetic makeup of the swine flu virus. That means the vaccines should be highly effective, he said.


http://www.nola.com/health/index.ssf?/base/national-67/125451164688600.xml&storylist=health

 

[Shiloh]

Re: 2nd A/H1N1 flu death reported in Ky

Source: http://www.courier-journal.com/arti...sville+Woman+who+died+of+swine+flu+identified

Louisville Woman who died of swine flu identified

The Courier-Journal ? October 4, 2009

The first person to die in Louisville from swine flu has been identified.


Sheila Brooks, 41, of the 1700 block of Gaulbert Avenue, died at University Hospital?s emergency room, said Eddie Robinson, a deputy coroner for Jefferson County. Officials with the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness had said the death occurred Sept. 21.

Robinson said Sunday that an autopsy was performed by state medical examiner Barbara Weakley-Jones on Sept. 22 and test results confirmed the death was caused by the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu.

Health department officials said Friday that the victim in this case had no underlying health conditions.

Dr. Adewale Troutman, director of the department, said Friday that the case was unusual and emphasized that in most swine flu cases, the patients ?have recovered and have not had to seek medical treatment.?

Troutman said there was no evidence of an increase in H1N1 virulence.