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Source: http://www.thedailysound.com/100609SwineFlu
Swine Flu kills girl
Swine flu fatality is first for SB County
By COLBY FRAZIER ? Oct. 6, 2009
After hospitalizing 20 county residents over the past few months, the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, caused the first known fatality here on Saturday, killing an adolescent girl, officials with the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department announced.
The girl, whose age and name were not released, had suffered from chronic medical conditions prior to contracting the flu, officials said.
According to a news release from the Health Department, the girl was transferred to Cottage Hospital ?from another local hospital,? on Sept. 18. The girl was suffering from a fever, cough, shortness of breath and seizures.
Prior to the girl?s death, officials said she developed pneumonia and sepsis, a blood infection.
?We are deeply saddened with the knowledge that a family has lost a child,? said Michele Mickiewicz, interim director for the Public Health Department. ?We recognize that any death is a loss, but there is a special level of empathy for a family when it is a child.?
Though officials believe the girl had contracted swine flu, the statement said a state laboratory has not yet confirmed this.
As of Sept. 30, the Public Health Department said 20 people in the county had been hospitalized after contracting swine flu, six of whom were admitted to intensive care units.
The disease has taken its largest toll on the young. Of the 20 people admitted to the hospital since June, 11 were between the ages of 11 and 31, three others were between the ages of seven and nine and three more were infants. The remaining three were at least 47 years old, a Health Department news release said.
Officials could not be reached for additional comment last night.
The statement said influenza is generally a mild illness for healthy people, but can take its heaviest toll on those with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. Officials urged residents to take steps to protect themselves against the spread of illness, and implored those who fall ill to immediately contact a doctor.
More information about H1N1 influenza is available at www.sbcfluinfo.org. Information is also available by calling the H1N1 flu tip-line at 1-888-722-6358.
Swine Flu kills girl
Swine flu fatality is first for SB County
By COLBY FRAZIER ? Oct. 6, 2009
After hospitalizing 20 county residents over the past few months, the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, caused the first known fatality here on Saturday, killing an adolescent girl, officials with the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department announced.
The girl, whose age and name were not released, had suffered from chronic medical conditions prior to contracting the flu, officials said.
According to a news release from the Health Department, the girl was transferred to Cottage Hospital ?from another local hospital,? on Sept. 18. The girl was suffering from a fever, cough, shortness of breath and seizures.
Prior to the girl?s death, officials said she developed pneumonia and sepsis, a blood infection.
?We are deeply saddened with the knowledge that a family has lost a child,? said Michele Mickiewicz, interim director for the Public Health Department. ?We recognize that any death is a loss, but there is a special level of empathy for a family when it is a child.?
Though officials believe the girl had contracted swine flu, the statement said a state laboratory has not yet confirmed this.
As of Sept. 30, the Public Health Department said 20 people in the county had been hospitalized after contracting swine flu, six of whom were admitted to intensive care units.
The disease has taken its largest toll on the young. Of the 20 people admitted to the hospital since June, 11 were between the ages of 11 and 31, three others were between the ages of seven and nine and three more were infants. The remaining three were at least 47 years old, a Health Department news release said.
Officials could not be reached for additional comment last night.
The statement said influenza is generally a mild illness for healthy people, but can take its heaviest toll on those with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. Officials urged residents to take steps to protect themselves against the spread of illness, and implored those who fall ill to immediately contact a doctor.
More information about H1N1 influenza is available at www.sbcfluinfo.org. Information is also available by calling the H1N1 flu tip-line at 1-888-722-6358.