First H1N1 Flu death reported in Montana
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Montana health officials are reporting that a Roosevelt County adult has died from complications related to the H1N1 influenza, the first such death reported in the state.
The Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Roosevelt County Health Department and Fort Peck Tribal Health made the announcement on Thursday
They say that in addition to having H1N1 influenza, "the individual who died had other underlying medical conditions"
No other information is being released at this time due to privacy concerns.
"Our heart goes out to the family," DPHHS Director Anna Whiting Sorrell said.
For most people, H1N1 influenza is causing mild illness; however, it can be very serious for people with preexisting or underlying medical conditions, said state medical officer Dr. Steven Helgerson.
"Nothing we have seen so far in the United States suggests that the HlN1 influenza virus is more dangerous than influenza viruses that circulate every year," Dr. Helgerson said. "Tragically, influenza causes about 36,000 deaths each year in the United States and about 100 in Montana."
Since May, DPHHS officials have confirmed 133 cases of influenza caused by the H1N1 virus in Montana.
However officials note that the figure represents a fraction of the actual number of cases, since most people do not seek medical treatment or get the laboratory tests necessary to confirm influenza caused by the H1N1 virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had confirmed 353 deaths from the virus across the country as of July 30th.
"I can't emphasize enough the importance of handwashing and staying home when you're sick," Dr. Helgerson said.
A person with influenza can spread the virus for a day or two before symptoms appear until seven days after the first symptoms or until the symptoms go away, whichever is longer.
The symptoms of H1N1 influenza are the same as seasonal influenza and include:
Fever higher than 100 degrees
Body aches
Coughing
Sore throat
Respiratory congestion
Possible vomiting and diarrhea (in addition to respiratory symptoms)
A vaccine for novel H1N1 influenza is being developed and may be available at some point this fall. Vaccine for the seasonal influenza virus has been produced and it is expected to be available as early as September.
For more information about the novel H1N1 strain of influenza, please visit the DPHHS website at
www.dphhs.mt.gov or contact your health care provider.
