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Source: http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_story.aspx?storyid=116282&catid=14
Muskegon County reports 2nd H1N1-related death
WZZM 13 ONLINE
Updated:12/2/2009 3:47:10 AM
MUSKEGON (Grand Haven Tribune)- A 58-year-old man has become the second death in Muskegon County that's been linked to the H1N1 virus, health officials said Tuesday.
The Muskegon County public health office says it was notified Monday by Great Lakes Specialty Hospital in Muskegon that the man died after contracting the flu strain.
"Our sincere condolences are extended to the family at this difficult time," said Ken Kraus, health officer for Public Health Muskegon County.
The first H1N1-related death in Muskegon County was reported Nov. 23 when doctors at Hackley Hospital in Muskegon said a 43-year-old woman died after contracting the virus. The woman had other chronic health conditions, officials said.
Michigan health officials say influenza has killed 59 people in the state since April 1 and 49 since Sept. 1, when H1N1 began gaining steam. So far, no deaths from the virus have been reported in Ottawa County.
The Michigan Community Health Department said Monday that 25,074 flu cases were reported in the state from Nov. 15-21. Since Sept. 1, officials say 1,660 people have been hospitalized in Michigan for the flu.
The state department said 16 flu-like illness cases were reported in Ottawa County during the week of Nov. 15-21, the same number as the prior week. In Muskegon County, the number of flu cases dropped from 2,069 to 1,033 in the same time period, while Kent County cases jumped from 2,089 to 4,996.
State medical epidemiologist Dr. Eden Wells said the department has received fewer reports of influenza during the past two weeks, but it's too early to say the state has "peaked."
The department said Michigan authorities have allocated at least 2.2 million doses of the vaccine for the H1N1 virus, which causes swine flu. That means medical personnel have received permission to receive that number of doses.
"We encourage everyone to continue to practice preventive methods and to consider taking the vaccine as it becomes more available," Kraus said. "If you or a loved one does become ill, seek immediate medical care if life threatening symptoms occur."
The Ottawa County Health Department has scheduled several H1N1 vaccine clinics for certain "priority groups" over the next two weeks. A clinic will be held at Grand Haven High School from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday. Other clinics are scheduled for West Ottawa High School, Hudsonville High School and Coopersville Middle School.
The Health Department is accepting reservations for the free H1N1 vaccine clinics online at www.miottawa.org/flu, or by calling 211 or 1-877-211-5253. No walk-ins will be accepted. Reservations will be taken on a first-come first-served basis.
Priority groups include pregnant women, people age 6 months to 24 years, people age 25-64 who are at higher risk for novel H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, and health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient care.
Muskegon County reports 2nd H1N1-related death
WZZM 13 ONLINE
Updated:12/2/2009 3:47:10 AM
MUSKEGON (Grand Haven Tribune)- A 58-year-old man has become the second death in Muskegon County that's been linked to the H1N1 virus, health officials said Tuesday.
The Muskegon County public health office says it was notified Monday by Great Lakes Specialty Hospital in Muskegon that the man died after contracting the flu strain.
"Our sincere condolences are extended to the family at this difficult time," said Ken Kraus, health officer for Public Health Muskegon County.
The first H1N1-related death in Muskegon County was reported Nov. 23 when doctors at Hackley Hospital in Muskegon said a 43-year-old woman died after contracting the virus. The woman had other chronic health conditions, officials said.
Michigan health officials say influenza has killed 59 people in the state since April 1 and 49 since Sept. 1, when H1N1 began gaining steam. So far, no deaths from the virus have been reported in Ottawa County.
The Michigan Community Health Department said Monday that 25,074 flu cases were reported in the state from Nov. 15-21. Since Sept. 1, officials say 1,660 people have been hospitalized in Michigan for the flu.
The state department said 16 flu-like illness cases were reported in Ottawa County during the week of Nov. 15-21, the same number as the prior week. In Muskegon County, the number of flu cases dropped from 2,069 to 1,033 in the same time period, while Kent County cases jumped from 2,089 to 4,996.
State medical epidemiologist Dr. Eden Wells said the department has received fewer reports of influenza during the past two weeks, but it's too early to say the state has "peaked."
The department said Michigan authorities have allocated at least 2.2 million doses of the vaccine for the H1N1 virus, which causes swine flu. That means medical personnel have received permission to receive that number of doses.
"We encourage everyone to continue to practice preventive methods and to consider taking the vaccine as it becomes more available," Kraus said. "If you or a loved one does become ill, seek immediate medical care if life threatening symptoms occur."
The Ottawa County Health Department has scheduled several H1N1 vaccine clinics for certain "priority groups" over the next two weeks. A clinic will be held at Grand Haven High School from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday. Other clinics are scheduled for West Ottawa High School, Hudsonville High School and Coopersville Middle School.
The Health Department is accepting reservations for the free H1N1 vaccine clinics online at www.miottawa.org/flu, or by calling 211 or 1-877-211-5253. No walk-ins will be accepted. Reservations will be taken on a first-come first-served basis.
Priority groups include pregnant women, people age 6 months to 24 years, people age 25-64 who are at higher risk for novel H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, and health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient care.