2nd fatality in New Mexico

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S1114281.shtml?cat=504

Posted at: 08/31/2009 3:31 PM
By: The Associated Press

NM woman dies of swine flu

The H1N1 virus

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - A 52-year-old Bernalillo County woman has died of swine flu, the second swine flu death in New Mexico.

The state Department of Health says the woman died over the weekend and had a pulmonary condition that put her at risk for complications.

A 45-year-old woman from Sierra County died of swine flu on Aug. 10. State health officials said at the time she had end-stage liver disease which put her at higher risk.

State Health Secretary Alfredo Vigil is urging people who have high-risk medical conditions and develop flu symptoms to call their health provider promptly.

The department says it will let the public know when swine flu vaccine is available in the state. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects to begin shipping vaccine around mid-October.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: 2nd fatality in New Mexico

Source: http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S1114823.shtml?cat=517

Posted at: 08/31/2009 9:53 PM
Updated at: 08/31/2009 10:16 PM
By: Eric Kahnert, Eyewitness News 4; Matthew Kappus, KOB.com

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Sunport janitor dies after contracting H1N1

Katie Francia

The metro area has its first death from the H1N1 virus?a 52-year-old Sunport janitor. News of the woman's death has hit her coworkers hard.

Katie Francia, who was featured on Eyewitness News 4 on Friday, suffered from emphysema. So when she contracted the H1N1 virus, her daughter says it was too much.

Valerie Daly says she was by her mother's side until the end.

"It was hard, I just wanted to lay down with her and have her hold me like she used to," she said.

In and out of a coma for the past two weeks, Francia passed away around 5:00 Sunday night.

The news of her death has been tough for employees at the Sunport, where Francia worked as a janitor. Francia's last day before she went home sick was August 11.

No other employees have come down with flu-like symptoms since then. Sunport officials say the woman probably didn't contract H1N1 at work.

"No one can be certain where she may have contracted this," Jiron said. "We feel confident it was not here at the Sunport."

Family members say Francia visited Elephant Butte Lake before she got sick. They are not sure where she picked up the virus. They want the public to know H1N1 is a very serious threat.

"It's there and it took my mom's life," Daly said.

Since the outbreak in April, the Sunport has posted signs asking people to cover their cough. They have also installed hand sanitizer stations.

The city's epidemiologist was out at the airport Monday reminding Sunport employees to stay home if they are sick. Sunport officials are also asking passengers with flu-like symptoms to avoid flying if possible.

Francia is the second person in New Mexico to die of the Swine Flu. A 45-year-old woman in Sierra County died earlier this month. The health department points out both women had weak immune systems.