First swine flu death in Central Florida confirmed

[thebes]

The 30-year-old woman who died from swine flu had a respiratory condition.Fernando Quintero | Sentinel Staff Writer
10:44 AM EDT, June 24, 2009
A 30-year-old woman who died at Florida Hospital's Altamonte Springs campus died early Tuesday was Central Florida's first swine flu casualty.

The woman was admitted earlier this month with pre-existing respiratory conditions, said hospital spokeswoman Samantha O'Lenick.

"Even though most cases of swine flu have been mild to moderate. All flu viruses have the potential to be serious. Everyone should remain vigilant in helping to prevent the spread of the disease," she said. "We are saddened by her death, and our thoughts go out to her family."

O'Lenick said the hospital has procedures in place to protect employees and patients. She also reminded the public to use proper health precautions, including covering a cough or sneeze with your arm, washing hands thoroughly, and stay home or consult a health care professional if you experience flu-like symptoms.

This is the second confirmed swine-flu related death in Florida. A 9-year-old Boy In Miami-Dade County died June 15. There are 562 probable and confirmed cases statewide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-bk-swine-flu-death-062409,0,7421477.story

 

[thebes]

Re: First swine flu death in Central Florida confirmed

Hmm...are Florida health departments playing games? Check out the part below about the man from Volusia Co. who died...

Pregnant Woman Who Had Swine Flu Dies
State Has Seen 562 Cases As Of Last Week
POSTED: 3:40 pm EDT June 23, 2009
UPDATED: 12:31 pm EDT June 24, 2009


ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. -- A pregnant woman with swine flu, or H1N1, died at Florida Hospital Altamonte, the Seminole County Health Department confirmed Wednesday.

The health department will not confirm that the woman died as a result of the flu.

The 30-year-old mom-to-be had swine flu since June 18 and had respiratory problems when she was admitted to the hospital and was considered high risk, according to Florida Hospital.

It is unknown if the woman traveled recently.

Florida Hospital said only the medical examiner will have an official cause of death.

Volusia County Director Of Community Information Dave Byron said that more than likely the cause of death was written by hospital doctors because the woman's death was an "attended death" in a hospital. Byron said the woman could have died from something else, and swine flu might now have ever been mentioned in the cause of death. He said the problem with tracking swine flu deaths is that there are not any rules, regulations or laws requiring autopsies on suspected cases.

A case of the swine flu was also confirmed Tuesday in a student at the University of Central Florida.

The 20-year-old student went to the UCF Health Center on June 17 complaining of flu-like symptoms. Health Services sent a specimen from the student to a state laboratory in Jacksonville and it was confirmed to be the H1N1 virus. The student has made a full recovery.

According to a news release, another possible case at UCF could be confirmed later this week. This case involves another 20-year-old undergraduate student who visited the clinic with mild flu-like symptoms.

UCF Health Services said the two cases are not related, and that the two students live in separate off-campus housing and do not have any classes together.

Also on Tuesday, a 55-year-old man who was Volusia County's third case of swine flu has died of another illness.

Florida Hospital DeLand said the death was not caused by the flu, but by a preexisting chronic illness. [This man was previously reported as being a flu case "in critical condition"]

The state of Florida has confirmed 562 cases of swine flu, or H1N1, as of last week. A boy from Miami-Dade County died.

Health officials advise frequent hand washing and limited exposure to people who are coughing or appear sick to avoid coming in contact with the virus.

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previous article about Volusia Co. man - it looks like he picked up the virus in the hospital so I guess it's the hospital that's saying he didn't die from the flu

Volusia County reports case of swine flu


Staff Report
A 55-year-old patient at Florida Hospital DeLand was confirmed as a case of swine flu, according to Volusia County Health Department officials.

The man was admitted to the hospital "several weeks ago," according to Paul Minshew, environmental health manager at the Volusia County Health Department. Hospital officials said that the patient, now in critical condition, was admitted for a pre-existing, chronic medical condition and was at high risk for complications.

The so-called swine flu, also known as H1N1 virus, was first found in Mexico in April. Its novel makeup and rash of deaths attributed to it in otherwise healthy people raised fears that a new flu pandemic similar to one 1918 was under way. The World Health Organization is calling the virus "a pandemic," but early fears about widespread death have not been realized.

The virus has been reported sporadically in Florida -- four levels below widespread outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/WestVolusia/wvlWEST05062009.htm