Corpus Christi Man Dies, Partly Due To H1N1 Virus

[HenryN]

Corpus Christi Man Dies, Partly Due To H1N1 Virus

Updated:<SCRIPT language=JavaScript>var wn_last_ed_date = getLEDate("May 15, 2009 1:07 PM EST"); document.write(wn_last_ed_date);</SCRIPT> May 15, 2009 01:07 PM EDT

CORPUS CHRISTI - KRIS 6 News has learned that a Corpus Christi man, 33-year-old Carlos Garnica, died on May 6 of viral pneumonia due to the H1N1 (swine) flu virus.
Texas State Lab has confirmed that Garnica had several contributing conditions, including sleep apnea and morbid obesity.
Additional toxicology tests are pending.
Health officials are investigating his circle of friends to determine if any of them contracted the disease. They added that no special precautions are being taken because of the death.
This is the third death in Texas related to the H1N1 virus.
More details to come as they become available.

 

[HenryN]

Re: Corpus Christi Man Dies, Partly Due To H1N1 Virus

Texas records 3rd swine flu-related death

Flu outbreak closes 3 New York City schools

Last Updated: Friday, May 15, 2009 | 2:48 PM ET

CBC News


Health officials in Texas confirmed the state's third swine flu-related death Friday, as the World Health Organization warned against a false sense of security because most cases of the virus have been mild.
Corpus Christi-Nueces County Health District's Dr. William Burgin Jr. said a 33-year-old man died May 5 or 6 after becoming sick a few days earlier. He said the man had pre-existing medical conditions, including heart problems, that made it more difficult for him to survive any viral illness.
The man, who was not identified, lived in Corpus Christi and was a single parent to three children, said Burgin. One of the children contracted swine flu but has recovered.
With 506 confirmed cases of swine flu, Texas has one of the highest totals of all states in the U.S., which has a total of 4,714 cases and five deaths.
Most of the cases have been mild, including a cluster of cases that has prompted the closure of three public schools in New York City.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Friday that with the exception of one school official in critical condition, victims have recovered quickly.
New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Frieden said the virus isn't more virulent than seasonal flu but appears to be spreading more rapidly than other flu strains. He said the "large clusters" in the schools is "a little surprising."
Remain vigilant: WHO

The director general of WHO warned Friday "great uncertainty" remains about the virus and advised people to remain vigilant.
"We are meeting at a time of crisis that could have global implications," said Dr. Margaret Chan, who spoke at the agency's Geneva headquarters during an intergovernmental meeting on pandemic influenza preparedness.
"This is a virus so evasive that it can quietly and stealthily move into your country without you even realizing it."
Chan said she didn't know whether the United Nations agency would raise its pandemic threat level to six, the highest on the scale. That would indicate sustained transmission of the virus in communities outside of North America.
"It is important that countries where cases are imported do not fall into a false sense of security. So make sure cases returning from travel do not spread in your community," she said.
According to WHO, there are a total of 7,520 confirmed cases of swine flu in 34 different countries. Mexico reported 2,446 cases and 60 deaths, while Canada reported 449 cases and one death linked to the outbreak. With one death, Costa Rica is the only other country to report a death linked to swine flu.

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/05/15/swine-flu-texas-who015.html

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Corpus Christi Man Dies, Partly Due To H1N1 Virus

Source: http://www.kristv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10372135

H1N1 Virus Contributed To Corpus Christi Man's Death

Updated: May 15, 2009 06:48 PM
H1N1 Virus Contributed To Corpus Christi Man's Death
Inside KRISTV.COM

CORPUS CHRISTI - 33-year-old Carlos Garnica is the first confirmed swine flu death here in Corpus Christi.

He died on May 6th, and test results Friday confirmed he died of viral pneumonia due to swine flu.

Garnica lived with his two children at the Northwest Terrace Apartments in Annaville.

He commuted frequently between Corpus Christi and the Valley but officials don't know where he may have caught the virus.

Dr. William Burgin of the City-County Health Department told KRIS 6 News, "He had multiple medical problems. In addition to the flu, he had an enlarged heart and other medical problems."

Those included hepatitis and issues related to obesity.

Neighbors say he had just moved from Raymondville about a month ago.

They were concerned when they heard about his death from swine flu.

One neighbor, Stephanie Vela, said, "It's just kind of scary waking up one day and have someone knocking at your door saying that your neighbor passed away from swine flu."

"I'm concerned about the swine flu because I have three grandsons and I worry about them," said another neighbor, "Pancho" Gomez.

Local health officials say they're not concerned about Garnica's neighbors being exposed to swine flu since he had limited contact with them.

One of Garnica's children was sick a few weeks ago and was on the "probable" list of swine flu cases.

That child, who is in middle school, has fully recovered. He and Garnica's other child are both living with family members down in the Valley.

Vela added, "He was a really good guy. I hear he was a friendly guy. He'd come out and say "hey" every now and then. He was always there. As far as his illness, I came home one day and they told us he passed away and I didn't know from what."

Dr. Burgin says Garnica's other health issues made it more difficult for him to fight off an aggressive virus like the swine flu and that probably contributed to his death.

Online Reporter: Dave Fraser