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Source: http://www.jacksonville.com/news/2009-09-22/story/st_johns_county_confirms_first_swine_flu_death
St. Johns County confirms first swine flu death
The victim was a 54-year-old man with an unspecified underlying health condition.
* By Jeremy Cox
* Story updated at 5:14 PM on Tuesday, Sep. 22, 2009
A 54-year-old man is the first confirmed swine flu death in St. Johns County, health officials said this afternoon.
The man suffered from an unspecified underlying health condition, according to a St. Johns County Health Department statement. About 75-80 percent of the 78 swine flu deaths in Florida have been among people with existing health issues, according to state surveillance reports.
"While most cases of H1N1 swine flu are mild, there are exceptions like this one. This loss is unfortunate; however it is a sobering reminder that influenza can be serious," said St. Johns Health Department Director Dawn Allicock, in a statement.
The death is the ninth related to swine flu on the First Coast. Seven have come in Duval County, one in Clay.
To avoid getting or spreading the flu, health officials recommend that you:
* Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
* Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness.
* Contact your physician if you are experiencing cough, fever and fatigue, possibly along with diarrhea and vomiting.
St. Johns County confirms first swine flu death
The victim was a 54-year-old man with an unspecified underlying health condition.
* By Jeremy Cox
* Story updated at 5:14 PM on Tuesday, Sep. 22, 2009
A 54-year-old man is the first confirmed swine flu death in St. Johns County, health officials said this afternoon.
The man suffered from an unspecified underlying health condition, according to a St. Johns County Health Department statement. About 75-80 percent of the 78 swine flu deaths in Florida have been among people with existing health issues, according to state surveillance reports.
"While most cases of H1N1 swine flu are mild, there are exceptions like this one. This loss is unfortunate; however it is a sobering reminder that influenza can be serious," said St. Johns Health Department Director Dawn Allicock, in a statement.
The death is the ninth related to swine flu on the First Coast. Seven have come in Duval County, one in Clay.
To avoid getting or spreading the flu, health officials recommend that you:
* Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
* Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness.
* Contact your physician if you are experiencing cough, fever and fatigue, possibly along with diarrhea and vomiting.
