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| Home > Media > Press
Releases > H1N1
-First Death |
Contact
Keith Winkler, MD. (559) 584-1411<<<<
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| Kings
County – “H1N1
influenza has claimed the life of a retired
Kings County woman,” Kings County
Health Officer Michael Mac Lean announced
today. This woman is one of five county
residents who’ve been hospitalized
because of H1N1 influenza. As of August
25, there have been 128 H1N1 influenza
related deaths in California.
H1N1
influenza is a novel virus. It first
appeared in the spring of this
year. It has spread rapidly across the
world. Typically influenza cases peak
in mid-winter. Cases have continued to
be reported in the county and in California
throughout this summer. Because it’s
novel we don’t know what will happen
during the traditional influenza season
but it’s prudent for us to plan
for an upswing in cases during the more
usual winter influenza season.
Compared with typical
seasonal influenza, this virus is relatively
mild. This
case reminds us that any influenza virus
can
cause serious illness and death in
some people. It’s estimated that
between 20,000 and 40,000 influenza related
deaths
occur every year. H1N1 influenza so
far has been atypical in that it has
disproportionately
affected children and younger adults.
An H1N1 vaccine is in development. If
all goes well, some of the vaccine will
be available in Kings County in November.
The initial priority groups will be:
- Children
age 6 months to four years old
- Children
5-17 with medical conditions
that put that at high risk for
complications
- Persons
who live with or take care of infants < 6
months of age.
- Pregnant
women
- Health
care workers who have direct contact
with patients
There are actions that people can take
to help prevent the spread of germs:
- Cough
and sneeze into a tissue or into
your elbow.
- Wash
your hands often with soap and
water and use hand
sanitizer.
- Avoid
touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Avoid
close contact with sick people.
- Avoid
attendance at large gatherings.
The public can get more information
about H1N1 influenza at:
www.countyofkings.com/health/homepage/H1N1 or by calling: 582 3211 ex 4690.
Learn
More about H1N1 (Swine Flu) - CDC Link |
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Be
Responsible - Be Ready - Be Prepared!
Your Emergency Preparedness
Team
Kings County Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management
280 Campus Drive Hanford, CA 93230
(559) 582-3211, Ext. 2634
www.kingscountyoem.com |
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