JimO
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Source: http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/07/alabama_has_first_confirmed_sw.html
Alabama has first confirmed swine flu death
Posted by Jeremy Gray and Anna Velasco -- Birmingham News July 29, 2009 9:18 PM
Alabama has had its first confirmed death from the H1N1 virus -- commonly referred to as swine flu -- Jefferson County health officials reported today.
A man in his 50s died from the disease earlier this month in a Birmingham hospital. The man was not believed to be a Jefferson County resident, said Dr. Elizabeth Turnipseed, director of disease control for the Jefferson County Department of Health.
"Any untimely death is a tragedy, but the fact that we're reporting a death really isn't a surprise," Turnipseed said, noting that the virus has continued to circulate in the state since April and even seasonal flu causes deaths.
The man who died earlier this month had other underlying health problems, she said.
Tests conducted at the Alabama Bureau of Clinical Laboratories confirmed the virus resulted in the man's death, according to a statement from the Department of Health.
The virus has spread throughout Alabama this spring and summer. As of July 23, there were 547 confirmed cases statewide, according to the state department of public health.
"This individual's death serves as a tragic reminder that influenza remains a local problem, not a distant concern," the statement read.
Alabama has first confirmed swine flu death
Posted by Jeremy Gray and Anna Velasco -- Birmingham News July 29, 2009 9:18 PM
Alabama has had its first confirmed death from the H1N1 virus -- commonly referred to as swine flu -- Jefferson County health officials reported today.
A man in his 50s died from the disease earlier this month in a Birmingham hospital. The man was not believed to be a Jefferson County resident, said Dr. Elizabeth Turnipseed, director of disease control for the Jefferson County Department of Health.
"Any untimely death is a tragedy, but the fact that we're reporting a death really isn't a surprise," Turnipseed said, noting that the virus has continued to circulate in the state since April and even seasonal flu causes deaths.
The man who died earlier this month had other underlying health problems, she said.
Tests conducted at the Alabama Bureau of Clinical Laboratories confirmed the virus resulted in the man's death, according to a statement from the Department of Health.
The virus has spread throughout Alabama this spring and summer. As of July 23, there were 547 confirmed cases statewide, according to the state department of public health.
"This individual's death serves as a tragic reminder that influenza remains a local problem, not a distant concern," the statement read.