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Source: http://www.telegram.com/article/20090711/NEWS/907110341/1003/NEWS03
Teen is possible swine flu victim
Tests may confirm first city death
By Lee Hammel TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
lhammel@telegram.com
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WORCESTER ? A 13-year-old city youth died Wednesday from Influenza A, the city Public Health Department reported.
It will not be known whether the illness was the H1N1 virus until Monday, when the state Department of Public Health releases test results, according to Derek Brindisi, director of the city Department of Public Health. If it was H1N1, also called swine flu, it would be the first death of a city resident from that, he said.
There have been 20 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu in city residents since the first one May 4.
The teenager, who was not identified by the city, died at UMass Memorial Medical Center ? University Campus. He had a very serious underlying medical condition, which Mr. Brindisi did not identify.
There is an ongoing investigation as to how the youth became infected, the health director said. The teenager may have been living in a healthcare facility outside the city, Mr. Brindisi said.
The youth showed up with flu-like symptoms at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield and may have been there a day or two before being transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center, according to Mr. Brindisi.
The death underscores the importance of taking precautions against the flu. ?There?s been no opportunity for the public in Worcester to have been exposed to this one individual,? the health director said, ?but the virus is in our environment.?
Although the number of influenza cases has diminished in recent weeks, Mr. Brindisi said, ?It?s important to continue to remind the public ? if you?re feeling ill, stay home, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids and seek treatment through your healthcare provider. And cover your cough.?
People should get medical attention if they have a persistent fever of greater than 100.5 degrees, cough, weakness and head or body aching. ?Hand washing and careful cough hygiene, such as coughing away from others or into the inner elbow or the use of tissue is very important in preventing the spread of the influenza virus,? according to the health department.
Although the strain of flu in this case has not been identified, the city has an H1N1 task force that has convened various community organizations to implement education and prevention strategies in advance of a potential caseload increase in the fall, and continues to prepare, according to the office of City Manager Michael V. O?Brien.
Teen is possible swine flu victim
Tests may confirm first city death
By Lee Hammel TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
lhammel@telegram.com
Add a comment
WORCESTER ? A 13-year-old city youth died Wednesday from Influenza A, the city Public Health Department reported.
It will not be known whether the illness was the H1N1 virus until Monday, when the state Department of Public Health releases test results, according to Derek Brindisi, director of the city Department of Public Health. If it was H1N1, also called swine flu, it would be the first death of a city resident from that, he said.
There have been 20 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu in city residents since the first one May 4.
The teenager, who was not identified by the city, died at UMass Memorial Medical Center ? University Campus. He had a very serious underlying medical condition, which Mr. Brindisi did not identify.
There is an ongoing investigation as to how the youth became infected, the health director said. The teenager may have been living in a healthcare facility outside the city, Mr. Brindisi said.
The youth showed up with flu-like symptoms at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield and may have been there a day or two before being transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center, according to Mr. Brindisi.
The death underscores the importance of taking precautions against the flu. ?There?s been no opportunity for the public in Worcester to have been exposed to this one individual,? the health director said, ?but the virus is in our environment.?
Although the number of influenza cases has diminished in recent weeks, Mr. Brindisi said, ?It?s important to continue to remind the public ? if you?re feeling ill, stay home, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids and seek treatment through your healthcare provider. And cover your cough.?
People should get medical attention if they have a persistent fever of greater than 100.5 degrees, cough, weakness and head or body aching. ?Hand washing and careful cough hygiene, such as coughing away from others or into the inner elbow or the use of tissue is very important in preventing the spread of the influenza virus,? according to the health department.
Although the strain of flu in this case has not been identified, the city has an H1N1 task force that has convened various community organizations to implement education and prevention strategies in advance of a potential caseload increase in the fall, and continues to prepare, according to the office of City Manager Michael V. O?Brien.