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USA - 3 familial deaths, 2 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 4 test positive for Seasonal Inf

Re: USA - 4 familial deaths reportedly due to a respiratory illness in Calvert county Maryland

Re: USA - 4 familial deaths reportedly due to a respiratory illness in Calvert county Maryland

hat tip Michael Coston

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CALVERT COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

DAVID L. ROGERS, MD MPH HEALTH OFFICER

CONTACT INFORMATION: 410-535-5400

March 6, 2012

This is a case of an elderly woman living in a rural setting in the Lusby area. She became sick on or about February 23, 2012, with upper respiratory symptoms, at her home. She was cared for at home by three of her children, a son and two daughters. They developed similar upper respiratory symptoms on or about February 28, 2012. They were all hospitalized and became critically ill and two have subsequently died. One caregiver is currently at the Washington Hospital Center. This appears to be confined to a single family and there is no reason to believe, at this time, that others have been infected with this illness.

http://www.calverthealth.org/index.htm
 
Re: USA - 4 familial deaths reportedly due to a respiratory illness in Calvert county Maryland

Re: USA - 4 familial deaths reportedly due to a respiratory illness in Calvert county Maryland

Source: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/03/calvert-county-deaths-linked-to-flu-like-symptoms-73419.html

Calvert County deaths linked to flu-like symptoms
March 6, 2012 - 10:12 am

Health officials are urging people with flu-like symptoms to consult a doctor after four people in the Lusby area with severe respiratory illnesses died.

The Calvert County Health Department says a total of five people ? including a Calvert County family of four - have been hospitalized with the illness in recent weeks. The family lived about a mile south of a power plant...
 
Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

I just called the health dept and the secretary told me that 3 total have died - the elderly lady and 2 of her children.
 
Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

Source: http://www.somdnews.com/article/201...respiratory-illness&template=southernMaryland

Tuesday, Mar. 06, 2012
Lusby family members die from respiratory illness
Cause of illness ?has not been completely confirmed?
by KATIE FITZPATRICK, Staff writer


Three members of a Lusby family have died from a severe respiratory illness, according to the Calvert County Health Department...

...Calvert County Public Schools sent out a press release that states the health and safety of the students and their families is CCPS?s primary concern. The school system is in close contact with the health department to stay aware of the situation. CCPS has not been advised by the health department to take any specific precautionary measures, the press release states.

The issue was also discussed at Tuesday morning?s Calvert County Board of County Commissioners? meeting. In a handout given to those present at the meeting, commissioners said county fire rescue and EMS staff will remain diligent about using appropriate precautions in the care of patients with respiratory symptoms. The commissioners said the Criminal Investigative Team from the Calvert County Sheriff?s Office will be investigating the case and a Hazardous Materials team will conduct a follow-up investigation at the family?s home....
 
Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

From the article in post #1:

According to the health department, the 81-year-old died presented symptoms of respiratory illness on February 23, and died on March 1. The children showed symptoms around February 28, and were hospitalized in critical condition. Several days later, the 58-year-old son and the 56-year-old daughter died, and the third daughter remains hospitalized.
 
Re: USA - 4 familial deaths reportedly due to a respiratory illness in Calvert county Maryland

Re: USA - 4 familial deaths reportedly due to a respiratory illness in Calvert county Maryland

This report states that five have been hospitalized with the illness. Is there any indication whether the 5th person was in contact with the family?
Shiloh said:
The Calvert County Health Department says a total of five people ? including a Calvert County family of four - have been hospitalized with the illness in recent weeks. The family lived about a mile south of a power plant...
Click to expand...
 
Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...rt-county-md/2012/03/06/gIQAztDDvR_story.html

Three dead from cluster of respiratory illnesses in Calvert County, Md.
By Lena H. Sun, Tuesday, March 6, 3:32 PM


...Maryland?s Office of Chief Medical Examiner is working to determine the cause of the illness, officials said.

In an interview, Medical Examiner David Fowler said Calvert County health officials contacted his office Monday seeking assistance. One of the bodies was being transported to Baltimore Tuesday for an autopsy, he said. He did not know which victim it was. At least one of the other bodies had already been embalmed and buried, local officials told him.

Local officials do not have a working hypothesis as to what caused the deaths, he said. Calvert County health officials did not return telephone calls for comment.

The medical examiner?s office will examine the respiratory organs in detail, Fowler said, and conduct blood cultures for bacteria and viruses. Even if the autopsy shows pneumonia, for example, ?that won?t tell you what organism caused it,? he said...

...Tom Skinner, a spokesman for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said federal officials have had initial conversations with local health officials and have offered to assist. ?There are plans to try to send some [lab] samples to CDC for us to take a look at...?
 
Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

Thanks everyone!

At this point we do not know what this is. We have published the information here in our seasonal flu forum because the initial reports were a flu like illness.

We advise that people use at least 2 sources for their public health news. In events like this rumours run rampant.

And of course, in a case of an infectious disease outbreak there are steps that people can take to prevent illness. Some are:

1. Consult your health practitioner about a flu and/or pneumonia shot.
2. Wash your hands frequently throughout the day.
3. Stay a few feet away from people in crowded areas.
4. Stay home when you are sick.
5. Keep sick people in your home away from healthy people.
6. Sanitize door knobs, toilet handles, refrigerator handles etc. frequently.
7. Listen to your local public health officials for updates.
8. Contact your local school officials for updates.
 
Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...rt-county-md/2012/03/06/gIQAztDDvR_story.html

Three dead from cluster of respiratory illnesses in Calvert County

By Lena H. Sun, Tuesday, March 6, 3:32 PM

Maryland and Calvert County health officials are investigating a cluster of respiratory illnesses that have resulted in the deaths of three individuals from the same family, officials said Tuesday.

The cases appear to be confined to a single family from the Lusby area, and county health officials issued a news release Tuesday saying there are currently no other affected individuals. The department is not recommending any protective actions for the general public, the statement said...

...more at link
 
Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

Source: http://www.wtop.com/?nid=93&sid=2775008

Cluster of respiratory-related deaths under investigation in Md.
Tuesday - 3/6/2012, 4:51pm ET

UPDATE:

Washington Hospital Center reports the son and daughter who died in the hospital had Influenza A.

Officials do not yet know what the 81-year-old mother died of.

The health of the other daughter (and fourth victim) is improving, hospital officials say...
 
Re: Discussion - Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

Re: Discussion - Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

From abc news:

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/03/06/mystery-illness-kills-three-in-maryland-family/


Mar 6, 2012 4:25pmMystery Illness Kills Three in Maryland Family


snip

Although few details are available about the illness, infectious disease specialists speculate there could be a number of causes.

“The first thing that comes to mind is influenza. It can be devastating and make people very ill,” said Dr. William Schaffner, chair of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. “But when they’re a cluster like this, we have to wonder if it may be a mutant strain of flu virus. There’s been some concern about a swine flu variant.”
Pneumonia is also a possibility, as is Legionnaires’ disease.

“Legionnaires’ could cluster, and that would implicate perhaps something about this home environment,” Schaffner added. “Bacteria like moisture, so there would need to be an investigation of the heating and air conditioning systems.”

There could also be other environmental causes, such as a toxin, or even carbon monoxide poisoning.

Dr. Gio Baracco, associate professor of infectious diseases at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, speculated, based on the very limited amount of information available, that the cause is non-infectious and could be something envirnonmental.

“The reason is that for most infections, transmission rate is not 100 percent and the fatality rate is not 100 percent,” he said. If the woman’s hospitalized daughter dies, the case fatality rate will be 100 percent, he explained.

“The fact that they’re in the same household and they’re not seeing the same thing going on in the community is unusual,” he added.

more...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Re: Discussion - Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

Re: Discussion - Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/03/calvert-county-deaths-linked-to-flu-like-symptoms-73419.html


Calvert County deaths linked to Influenza A
EmailPrintText size Decrease Increase March 6, 2012 - 10:12 am


snip


The victims were all related and lived in the Rousby Hall Road neighborhood in Lusby. Authorities Tuesday said two of the victims died from Influenza A that was made worse through an underlying infection. Authorities have also confirmed that a third victim who was hospitalized also has Influenza A.

The first patient, 83-year-old Ruth Blake, became sick on Feb. 23. Three of her children, a son and two daughters all in their 50s, arrived on Feb. 28 to take care of her.

snip

Authorities have not confirmed Blake's cause of death. The deceased siblings both died from Influenza A and the surviving sibling also has Influenza A.

snip

Health officials say the cause of the illness has not been confirmed, Environmental testing on the house will be done.

In a statement released Tuesday morning, the department says they "will continue to work with the health care providers and others on this situation and will update Calvert County residents if new information important to their health becomes available.”

more..
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - tests positive for Influenza A

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - tests positive for Influenza A

The reporter in the video at the link below indicates that the underlying infection mentioned above is suspected as "an underlying case of staph or strep".

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/03/calvert-county-deaths-linked-to-flu-like-symptoms-73419.html
 
Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

http://wusa9.com/news/article/194856/158/Influenza-A-Kills-3-in-Lusby-Calvert-County-Md

Influenza A Kills 3 in Lusby, Calvert County, Md.
6:05 PM, Mar 6, 2012 | 10 comments

Written by
Manny Fantis FILED UNDER
Maryland News

'Influenza A' Killed 3 in Maryland Home

LUSBY, Md. (WUSA) -- Calvert County Department of Health officials have confirmed that "Influenza A" has killed three people in a Lusby home.

Influenza A is the virus that is most commonly known as the flu in humans. However, if not treated properly, as in these cases, it can prove to be deadly.

"The first case of illness occurred in an 81-year-old woman who presented symptoms at her home beginning on or about February 23, 2012. She was cared for at home by three of her children, a son and two daughters. The caregivers developed similar upper respiratory symptoms on or about February 28, 2012. All were hospitalized and became critically ill. The elderly woman, a 58-year-old son and a 56-year-old daughter subsequently died. A third family member and caregiver is currently hospitalized at the Washington Hospital Center," CCHD officials said.

Residents are recommended to take standard precautions to prevent the spread of illness including hand washing and limiting contact with sick individuals. Those with flu-like symptoms should check with their healthcare provider to be evaluated.

Health officials say if you think you have similar symptoms, you should check with a doctor immediately.

"In the meantime, we continue to recommend that people ill with influenza-like illnesses (fever and cough or sore throat) check in with their healthcare provider to be evaluated and see if they would benefit from antiviral or other medications," officials said.
 
Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

http://www.promedmail.org/

Published Date: 2012-03-06 17:57:18
Subject: PRO/EDR> Respiratory illness - USA: (MD) fatal cluster, RFI
Archive Number: 20120306.1062870

RESPIRATORY ILLNESS - USA: (MARYLAND) FATAL CLUSTER, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
****************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org

Tue 6 Mar 2012
Source: 4 NBC Washington [edited]
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/l...n-Mysterious-Calvert-Co-Deaths-141560013.html


Cluster of deaths following flu-like symptoms in Calvert County
---------------------------------------------------------------
The Calvert County Health Department [CCHD] is investigating a cluster of deaths following respiratory illnesses in the Lusby area. The county health department told News4 that 4 family members who live near the Calvert Cliffs nuclear facility fell ill with an unidentified respiratory illness at the end of February, [2012] and 3 died this month.

An 81 year old woman was the 1st to become sick, in late February. The woman's 3 adult children, 2 daughters and a son, traveled to her home to care for her. Subsequently, they became sick with similar health problems.

According to the health department, the 81 year old who died presented symptoms of respiratory illness on 23 Feb 2012 and died on 1 Mar 2012. The children showed symptoms around 28 Feb 2012, and were hospitalized in critical condition. Several days later, the 58 year old son and the 56 year old daughter died, and the 3rd daughter remains hospitalized.

Health officer David Rogers, in a statement released on 6 Mar 2012, said the county health department does not believe the illness represents a widespread health threat. "The cases appear to be confined to a single family," Rogers wrote, "and there are currently no other affected individuals at this time. CCHD is not recommending any protective actions for the general public."

In an earlier statement, the county erroneously reported 4 deaths.

The department recommends people with flu-like symptoms like fever, cough, or sore throat contact their doctors to see if they would benefit from antiviral or other medications. Currently, county health officials are not advising any specific preventive measures.

CCHD sent a message to area residents to say it was working together with health care providers to monitor the situation and determine a cause for the respiratory illness. A spokesperson told News4 the victims' proximity to the power plant was not believed to be a factor.

On Monday afternoon, a crew of health workers dressed in hazardous material suits entered the woman's house and collected more samples for testing.

[byline: Melissa Mollet]

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[This cluster of deaths within the same family due to an unidentified respiratory illness is an unusual event. Proximity to the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant is not considered to be a relevant factor, but specific diagnosis of the cause of these fatal illnesses will be necessary to reassure the local community.

Lusby is located in Calvert County, Maryland, and includes residents of the Chesapeake Ranch Estates-Drum Point community. The Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, and a compressed natural gas plant run by Dominion Resources, are both nearby. See map at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lusby,_Maryland. - Mod.CP]
 
Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...rt-county-md/2012/03/06/gIQAztDDvR_story.html

Three family members dead in cluster of respiratory illnesses in Calvert County; two from flu complications

By Lena H. Sun, Tuesday, March 6, 3:32 PM

Three members of a Calvert County , Md. family died in the past week following respiratory illnesses, two from complications from the flu, according to the chief medical officer at MedStar Washington Hospital Center where a fourth family member is being treated...

...The mother died at home March 1.

Her 58-year-old son and a 56-year-old daughter were initially hospitalized at Calvert Memorial Hospital. Both died Monday; the daughter at Calvert and the son at the hospital center, where he had been transferred...

...Tests confirmed the siblings who died had a type of flu virus known as influenza A, and each also acquired a serious staph infection, Orlowski said. She said it was unlikely the infection was acquired in the hospitals because the siblings arrived coughing blood, adding: ?It?s likely they came to the hospital with the infection, which is what caused the cough and fever.?

Tests are being conducted to determine whether the second daughter has the same influenza virus and infection. Officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will determine what strain of the influenza A virus infected the family, Orlowski said...
 
Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

This is the funeral home notice for the index case and includes her picture:

http://www.sewellfuneralhome.com/?m...alue=12&obituaries_action=2&obituaryid=116528

Name:
LOU RUTH BLAKE

Dates:
Birth date: October 12, 1930
Death date: March 01, 2012

Visitation:
AS OF 3/5/2012 ALL VISITATIONS AND FUNERAL SERVICES HAVE BEEN POSTPONED.
 
Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

http://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/info/status/systemalerts.asp#65

3-6-12 - Update from DHMH (State of Maryland) - 3/6/2012 8:10:13 PM




Update from the Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



Update on Calvert County Respiratory Illness Investigation

Preliminary Testing Indicates Influenza



BALTIMORE (March 6, 2012) - The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is working in conjunction with the Calvert County Health Department to investigate a cluster of respiratory illnesses in Calvert County. As the Calvert County Health Department has reported, DHMH is aware of four cases in adults from a single family with severe respiratory illness; three have died. At this time, no other similar clusters have been reported from Calvert County or elsewhere in the state.



The cause for these illnesses is under investigation and testing is being conducted by the DHMH Laboratories Administration. Preliminary testing at the DHMH Laboratories Administration indicates that two of the fatal cases had influenza, and these cases may have been complicated by bacterial co-infections. Bacterial co-infection is a known complication of influenza infection. Additional testing is being conducted for all cases.



DHMH recommends all individuals continue to take the following precautions during influenza season: hand washing, staying home if sick, and staying up to date with influenza vaccinations. DHMH also reminds Maryland residents with influenza-like illness (fever and sore throat or cough) to consult their healthcare providers for evaluation. DHMH is not recommending any additional measures at this time.
 
Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

Re: USA - 3 familial deaths, 1 hospitalized due to respiratory illness confirmed by Calvert County Health Dept Maryland - 3 test positive for Influenza A

http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...rt-county-md/2012/03/06/gIQAztDDvR_story.html

[snip]

This year’s flu season has gotten off to a late start, but Orlowski said there has been an increase in the number of patients with flu-like symptoms in recent weeks. Hospital center officials are looking into at least one other recent death — unrelated to the Calvert cluster— to determine whether it was related to flu.
 
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