9th A/H1N1 death reported in B.C.

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/records+ninth+H1N1+death/2125027/story.html

B.C. records ninth H1N1 death

By Amy O'Brian, Vancouver Sun

British Columbia reported its ninth death Tuesday from the H1N1 flu virus.

In its weekly update, the province also reported 33 new severe cases of the virus, which is nearly a 50 per cent jump in the total number of severe cases since April.

So far, 111 people with H1N1 have been admitted to hospital, 30 of whom have ended up in the Intensive Care Unit.

The province has provided no details about the ninth death.

More to come.

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: 9th A/H1N1 death reported in B.C.

First healthy person to die of H1N1 in B.C.

Updated: Tue Oct. 20 2009 16:44:20
ctvbc.ca

The eighth fatal victim of the H1N1 flu in British Columbia was healthy, according to an update from the BC Centre for Disease Control Tuesday.


The agency also announced that a ninth person had died from the flu.


The latest data shows the 26-year-old Mission woman, whose death was originally announced last week, had no underlying and preexisting medical conditions. She is the first "healthy" person to die from H1N1 in the province.


The province's chief medical officer, Dr. Perry Kendall, said Friday the health authority expected some cases of H1N1 would occur in healthy people.


Officials have not released any information about the latest victim, other than to say the person had underlying medical conditions.

Thirty-three severe new cases of H1N1 have been recorded since Oct. 13, with 13 in Fraser Health, 12 in Vancouver Coastal Health, six in Interior Health and two on Vancouver Island.


Second wave


Last week, health officials said the province is in the midst of a "second wave" of the H1N1 pandemic.

"Compared to the rest of the country, we are seeing significantly higher numbers of influenza-like illness at this time," Dr. Perry Kendall said Friday.
"This is one of the more complex influenza seasons I can remember."
In total, the CDC has confirmed 111 cases of severe H1N1 in B.C. since April 2009.


Prevention


Kendall reiterated what medical experts have been saying for months about how best to prevent the spread of the virus:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Stay home when you're sick
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve

High-risk individuals, including pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions, should talk to their doctors about other preventative measures.
The B.C. government has set up a website with more information about H1N1, including ways to check for symptoms, at www.healthlinkbc.ca

Dr. Perry Kendall, B.C.'s provincial health officer, told reporters Friday that B.C. was experiencing one of the most complex influenza seasons he could remember. Oct. 16, 2009.


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