Jun 15, 2009 9:11 pm US/Eastern
Mass. Reports First H1N1 Death
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images
Massachusetts is reporting its first death related to H1N1, state and Boston health officials announced Monday.
The victim is a 30-year-old woman from Boston. She got sick on June 5 and was hospitalized on June 10.
She died on Sunday.
The details behind the woman's death are not known. It is unclear if the woman had another medical issue when she was diagnosed with H1N1, also known as swine flu.
Health officials said their thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim. "We extend our deepest sympathy to this woman's family and friends," said Barbara Ferrer, executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission. "While most cases of H1N1 in Boston and nationwide have been less severe, this news demonstrates how serious influenza can be."
Health officials said the vast majority of people who are diagnosed with H1N1 usually recovery from the illness, but there are some groups that are at a higher risk of complications, including children under the age of 2, adults over the age of 65, pregnant people and people with chronic conditions.
In Boston, there have been 441 confirmed cases of H1N1. Fifty-four of those people had to be hospitalized.
Statewide, 1,153 cases of H1N1 have been confirmed cases and 80 of those patients had to be hospitalized.
Age breakdown on confirmed cases:
0 to 4: 171 cases
5 to 24: 685 cases
25 to 64: 285 cases
65 and over: 11 cases
Unknown Age: 1 case
A vaccine for H1N1 is expected for the fall.
Last week, the World Health Organization declared swine flu a pandemic, the first global flu epidemic in 41 years.
To minimize the spread of illness, the Boston Public Health Commission urges the public to:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cover your cough with a tissue or cough into your inner elbow and not into your hands.
- Stay home from work if you are sick, and keep your child home from school if he/she is sick.
- Contact your primary care physician or visit your local health center or hospital if you experience flu-like symptoms.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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