Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://kdka.com/health/H1N1.death.investigation.2.1188348.html
Sep 16, 2009 5:59 pm US/Eastern
Health Department Probes Butler Co. Woman's Death
BUTLER (KDKA) ―
Deborah Spangler, 45, of Renfrew, died last week in the emergency room of Butler Memorial Hospital.
The death of a Butler County woman is under investigation.
Deborah Spangler, 45, of Renfrew, died last week in the emergency room of Butler Memorial Hospital.
State health officials are investigating whether she died from the H1N1 virus.
Dr. Bruce Dixon, of the Allegheny County Health Department, says it appears as if this case could be the first confirmed fatal case of H1N1 flu in the Pittsburgh area.
"We were asked to do the laboratory work for this patient that apparently died of presumptive H1N1 flu," he said. "We don't have confirmation yet in the laboratory, but if you look at the only type of flu that's around today, it's 99 percent H1N1."
Dixon says it's highly unusual for people to die of H1N1 flu alone and they normally have an underlying illness or infection.
Spangler was active in local sports, coaching basketball, baseball and softball. She also managed three family-owned businesses.
Spangler leaves behind a husband and two daughters.
Sep 16, 2009 5:59 pm US/Eastern
Health Department Probes Butler Co. Woman's Death
BUTLER (KDKA) ―
Deborah Spangler, 45, of Renfrew, died last week in the emergency room of Butler Memorial Hospital.
The death of a Butler County woman is under investigation.
Deborah Spangler, 45, of Renfrew, died last week in the emergency room of Butler Memorial Hospital.
State health officials are investigating whether she died from the H1N1 virus.
Dr. Bruce Dixon, of the Allegheny County Health Department, says it appears as if this case could be the first confirmed fatal case of H1N1 flu in the Pittsburgh area.
"We were asked to do the laboratory work for this patient that apparently died of presumptive H1N1 flu," he said. "We don't have confirmation yet in the laboratory, but if you look at the only type of flu that's around today, it's 99 percent H1N1."
Dixon says it's highly unusual for people to die of H1N1 flu alone and they normally have an underlying illness or infection.
Spangler was active in local sports, coaching basketball, baseball and softball. She also managed three family-owned businesses.
Spangler leaves behind a husband and two daughters.