Durham Region man's death linked to swine flu- Total 7 in ON

[Shiloh]

Source: http://newsdurhamregion.com/news/article/129372

Durham Region man's death linked to swine flu
Jun 24, 2009 - 03:19 PM


DURHAM REGION -- The death of a 68-year-old man from Durham Region is one of three deaths now linked to swine flu in Ontario.

Public health officials in Toronto made the announcement Wednesday afternoon.

Officials said the Durham man tested positive for the H1N1 virus (swine flu) but also had underlying health issues and it's not clear what role it played in his death.

They say the death of a 17-year-old boy from the Ottawa area and a 52-year-old woman from Eastern Ontario are also linked to swine flu.

The total number of deaths linked to the flu now stands at seven.

 

[Chuck]

Re: Durham Region man's death linked to swine flu- Total 7 in ON

http://newsdurhamregion.com/news/article/129507

Durham officials not saying much about death of man with H1N1


Jun 25, 2009 - 03:18 PM

By Jennifer Stone

DURHAM -- Region of Durham officials are keeping mum on the death of a 68-year-old man who had H1N1 virus, but are urging continued calm in spite of the recent fatality.

The Province announced Wednesday the Durham Region man was one of three people who had H1N1 and died in the last several days, bringing the total in Ontario to seven.

The man died June 17, David Jensen, of the Ministry of Health, said.

According to the Province's media release, the three who died all "had underlying health conditions.

"It's not clear what role the H1N1 flu virus played in the fatalities," the press release went on to say.

All further questions were referred to the Durham Region Health Department.

But, "we can't give any more information (than was in the press release) based on patient privacy," said Health Department spokeswoman Glendene Collins.

Where the man resided and where he died were not being released, nor were details of his underlying health condition.

The Region is still urging people not to panic, in spite of now having a death related to H1N1, originally called swine flu.

As of Wednesday, 101 Durham residents had tested positive for the virus, out of the provincial total of 2,665.

"The majority of cases (in Durham) have been mild in terms of symptoms," said Ross MacEachern, Durham's manager of environmental health. "Like regular influenza, symptoms can vary from minor to severe."

But, so far in Durham, "we've had very few hospitalizations."

Symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to regular seasonal flu: chills and cough followed by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may occur. In more serious cases, or in people with chronic conditions, complications such as pneumonia may develop.

People are urged to take reasonable precautions to stop spread of germs, including regular handwashing with soap and water, staying home when ill, covering coughs with either tissues or in elbows, monitoring family health and cleaning frequently touched items, like keyboards and doorknobs, Mr. MacEachern said.

"Your every day actions can help prevent the spread of germs," he said.