appleblossom
Senior Moderator
Hillsborough County reports first swine flu deaths
Posted By:*Matthew*Sinn **
**20 mins ago
Tampa, Florida -- The Hillsborough County Health Department has received notification of the first two laboratory-confirmed H1N1 or swine flu-related deaths in the county.
The patients were adult males, 44 and 49 years old, who had underlying medical conditions that put them at greater risk of complications from flu. Both men died on July 19th at separate hospitals. It takes several days for the state lab to complete the swine flu tests.
"We offer our condolences to the individuals' family and friends for their loss," said Douglas Holt, Director Hillsborough County Health Department.
"Both patients' had preexisting medical conditions that increased their risk of complications from influenza, however, that does not lessen the impact of their deaths."
At University Community Hospital they've seen suspected swine flu cases trickle in all summer and a flu expert there says the coming flu season could be severe. Dr. James Orlowski says hospitals in the southern hemisphere are being overrun with cases and that could mean trouble here come fall. "There's a reason to be concerned," says Orlowski.
And that's why health officials continue to urge the public to use take precautions and stay home if they are experiencing flu symptoms. That may be the only way to curtail the spread of swine flu.
Hillsborough County currently has approximately 140 laboratory-confirmed cases. Florida currently has approximately 2,915 confirmed cases of H1N1 with 25 deaths.
More on this story on 10 Connects at 6 p.m
http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=110099
Posted By:*Matthew*Sinn **
**20 mins ago
Tampa, Florida -- The Hillsborough County Health Department has received notification of the first two laboratory-confirmed H1N1 or swine flu-related deaths in the county.
The patients were adult males, 44 and 49 years old, who had underlying medical conditions that put them at greater risk of complications from flu. Both men died on July 19th at separate hospitals. It takes several days for the state lab to complete the swine flu tests.
"We offer our condolences to the individuals' family and friends for their loss," said Douglas Holt, Director Hillsborough County Health Department.
"Both patients' had preexisting medical conditions that increased their risk of complications from influenza, however, that does not lessen the impact of their deaths."
At University Community Hospital they've seen suspected swine flu cases trickle in all summer and a flu expert there says the coming flu season could be severe. Dr. James Orlowski says hospitals in the southern hemisphere are being overrun with cases and that could mean trouble here come fall. "There's a reason to be concerned," says Orlowski.
And that's why health officials continue to urge the public to use take precautions and stay home if they are experiencing flu symptoms. That may be the only way to curtail the spread of swine flu.
Hillsborough County currently has approximately 140 laboratory-confirmed cases. Florida currently has approximately 2,915 confirmed cases of H1N1 with 25 deaths.
More on this story on 10 Connects at 6 p.m
http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=110099