Re: New Mexico reports 2 deaths in Week 47 - total 42
Re: New Mexico reports 2 deaths in Week 47 - total 42
http://www.scsun-news.com/ci_13949148
Swine flu death is under investigation
By Matt Robinson Headlight Staff
Posted: 12/08/2009 01:00:00 AM MST
Following last week's H1N1 virus-related death of a 59-year-old Luna County woman, details are still unclear.
A New Mexico Department of Health release detailed the Luna County woman was one of the latest deaths in the state, but said her medical history has not been determined. What is unclear is if she was in a group at higher risk. Chris Minnick, NMDOH public information officer, said Monday he has not been updated on her medical history.
Due to an increase in doses of the nasal and injectable H1N1 vaccine, the NMDOH has increased the priority groups to include adults with chronic health conditions.
According to the health department, the current H1N1 vaccination priority groups - who are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible - are pregnant women, household members/caretakers of infants younger than 6 months old, children 6 to 59 months of age, children and adults 5 to 64 years of age with certain chronic health conditions that increase their risk of complications from influenza, and health-care workers and emergency medical service personnel with direct patient care.
"Now is when people need to start really paying attention to the news that's coming out," Minnick said. People should pay attention because as the number of available doses increase, the department will open new priority groups. As of Dec. 2, Luna County had 5,320 doses ordered while the state had 403,520. Allocations are determined based on the percentage of high-risk patients in each county.
Those in the current priority groups should contact their primary care provider to ask if they are providing the vaccine. People in the current priority groups without insurance, or those whose primary care provider will not offer the vaccine, are encouraged to contact their local public health office. The Luna Public Health Office, 215 S. Silver Avenue, can be reached at (575) 546-2771.
Matt Robinson can be reached at
mrobinson@demingheadlight.com.
When to seek medical care
?People who are experiencing typical, mild symptoms of influenza and are not at higher risk for flu complications (see below) should stay home and avoid public places until they are well. Typical, mild symptoms include fever, sore throat, and cough.
?People who are experiencing typical, mild symptoms of influenza and are at higher risk for complications (see below) should call their health provider, community health center, or the NM DOH Health Alert Hotline for consideration for treatment with antiviral medications.
?People who develop severe symptoms of influenza should seek care immediately from the emergency room. Severe symptoms include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, dehydration, or decreased responsiveness.
Source: NMDOH
