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Source: http://www.theledger.com/article/20091028/NEWS/910289957?Title=Polk-Has-Fifth-Swine-Flu-Death
Polk Has Fifth Swine Flu Death
By Robin Williams Adams
The Ledger
Published: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 4:42 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 4:43 p.m.
LAKELAND | A 59-year-old man with underlying medical conditions has become the fifth person in Polk County to die with H1N1 swine flu.
The Polk County Health Department released a notice this afternoon that it received notification of the unnamed man?s laboratory confirmed H1N1 flu-related death.
The department doesn?t release the names of people who die of swine flu, where in the county they died or in what cities they lived.
Dr. Daniel Haight, the Health Department?s director, said its investigation didn?t reveal direct connections to previous deaths. The man didn?t live in the same area as previously reported cases, he said, adding that health officials ?extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this individual for their loss.?
Florida had 141 laboratory confirmed H1N1 swine flu deaths as of Tuesday.
?Flu-like illnesses remain active in Polk, but we have not observed any significant worsening over the last two weeks,? Haight said.
?However, this death highlights the seriousness of influenza. For most healthy individuals, H1N1 swine flu can be mild, but (it) can be serious for those with underlying medical conditions.?
The Florida Flu Information Line, 1-8..., is a toll-free automated help line that can answer general questions about H1N1. It?s available in English, Spanish and Creole. Callers also can speak with an operator, from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., seven days a week.
[ Robin Williams Adams can be reached at robin.adams@theledger.com or 863-802-7558. Read her blog at robinsrx.blogs.theledger.com. ]
Polk Has Fifth Swine Flu Death
By Robin Williams Adams
The Ledger
Published: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 4:42 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 4:43 p.m.
LAKELAND | A 59-year-old man with underlying medical conditions has become the fifth person in Polk County to die with H1N1 swine flu.
The Polk County Health Department released a notice this afternoon that it received notification of the unnamed man?s laboratory confirmed H1N1 flu-related death.
The department doesn?t release the names of people who die of swine flu, where in the county they died or in what cities they lived.
Dr. Daniel Haight, the Health Department?s director, said its investigation didn?t reveal direct connections to previous deaths. The man didn?t live in the same area as previously reported cases, he said, adding that health officials ?extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this individual for their loss.?
Florida had 141 laboratory confirmed H1N1 swine flu deaths as of Tuesday.
?Flu-like illnesses remain active in Polk, but we have not observed any significant worsening over the last two weeks,? Haight said.
?However, this death highlights the seriousness of influenza. For most healthy individuals, H1N1 swine flu can be mild, but (it) can be serious for those with underlying medical conditions.?
The Florida Flu Information Line, 1-8..., is a toll-free automated help line that can answer general questions about H1N1. It?s available in English, Spanish and Creole. Callers also can speak with an operator, from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., seven days a week.
[ Robin Williams Adams can be reached at robin.adams@theledger.com or 863-802-7558. Read her blog at robinsrx.blogs.theledger.com. ]