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Source: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/05/city-reports-8th-death-linked-to-swine-flu/
June 5, 2009, 4:48 pm
City Reports 8th Death Linked to Swine Flu
By Anemona Hartocollis
New York City?s Health Department has confirmed an eighth death linked to swine flu, the first of a person older than 63, officials said Friday.
Jessica Scaperotti, a spokeswoman for the department, declined to release further identifying details, but said the victim had underlying complications that increased the risk of death.
Health officials have said that such complications include being over 65, under 2, having respiratory or immune system problems or being obese, among others.
She said health officials were urging New Yorkers with flu who have underlying conditions or severe symptoms like shortness of breath to seek medical attention immediately.
?While most of New York City?s H1N1 deaths involve people with established risk factors, influenza can be fatal in otherwise healthy people,? Ms. Scaperotti said.
Also yesterday, a spokesman for the Bronx district attorney?s office said four prosecutors are believed to be suffering from swine flu, prompting a thorough cleaning of the office. None have been hospitalized.
About 1,000 New Yorkers die of flu in a normal flu season, health officials say. This virus is unusual in that it began in late April, later than the normal flu season, and has persisted well past the time when people no longer worry about flu in a normal year.
There have been 29 new hospitalizations since Thursday, the health department said, for a total of 375 since the outbreak began. There have been 623 confirmed swine flue cases in New York City, though because testing is limited, that does not reflect the true spread of the virus.
June 5, 2009, 4:48 pm
City Reports 8th Death Linked to Swine Flu
By Anemona Hartocollis
New York City?s Health Department has confirmed an eighth death linked to swine flu, the first of a person older than 63, officials said Friday.
Jessica Scaperotti, a spokeswoman for the department, declined to release further identifying details, but said the victim had underlying complications that increased the risk of death.
Health officials have said that such complications include being over 65, under 2, having respiratory or immune system problems or being obese, among others.
She said health officials were urging New Yorkers with flu who have underlying conditions or severe symptoms like shortness of breath to seek medical attention immediately.
?While most of New York City?s H1N1 deaths involve people with established risk factors, influenza can be fatal in otherwise healthy people,? Ms. Scaperotti said.
Also yesterday, a spokesman for the Bronx district attorney?s office said four prosecutors are believed to be suffering from swine flu, prompting a thorough cleaning of the office. None have been hospitalized.
About 1,000 New Yorkers die of flu in a normal flu season, health officials say. This virus is unusual in that it began in late April, later than the normal flu season, and has persisted well past the time when people no longer worry about flu in a normal year.
There have been 29 new hospitalizations since Thursday, the health department said, for a total of 375 since the outbreak began. There have been 623 confirmed swine flue cases in New York City, though because testing is limited, that does not reflect the true spread of the virus.
