Rhiza Labs FluTracker Forum

This thread is for confirmed case reports in Idaho.

http://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Healt ... fault.aspx (FWIW)

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Those who listen only to what they want to hear end up dancing with their own reflections - in the Abyss.

Swine Flu seems to have hit Idaho colleges. More than 2,000 students at Washington State University have reportedly been sickened by swine flu, and 10 miles away at the University of Idaho Tania Thompson says students are starting to show signs of sickness as well. She tells 670 KBOI news as many as 50 students are coming into the health center each day with flu-like symptoms. Thompson says she doesn't have any idea just how many students have been sickened, but she says there have been no deaths or hospitalizations.

http://www.670kboi.com/Article.asp?id=1 ... spid=18042

Canyon County man first Idahoan to die from H1N1 complications
Idaho Press-Tribune Staff
newsroom@idahopress.com
Updated 20 minutes ago

CANYON COUNTY — Idaho health officials say a Canyon County man is the first in Idaho to die from complications of the H1N1 virus, or the swine flu.

Officials say the man, in his 50s, had an underlying medical condition that contributed to his death.

"Our hearts and thoughts are with the man's family and loved ones," Christine Hahn, state epidemiologist, said. "This is a sobering reminder that influenza is serious, especially for those who have underlying medical conditions."

http://www.idahopress.com/news/?2009-09 ... plications

Idaho teen dies after getting swine flu

09:08 AM PDT on Thursday, October 8, 2009
BOISE -- Idaho public health officials say the swine flu virus has contributed to a second death in the state, this time a teenage boy from eastern Idaho.

The Department of Health and Welfare confirmed the death Wednesday of a teenager from Bannock County.

Although swine flu -- referred by scientists as the H1N1 virus -- was a factor in the death, the victim also had one or more conditions that created an elevated risk for the virus.

Conditions that heighten risk for children, teens and people under age 24 include asthma, diabetes or chronic neural conditions such as cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

Agency spokesman Tom Shanahan says people with those risk factors become more susceptible to flu symptoms.

Idaho's first death linked to swine flu was reported in September involving a Canyon County man in his 50s.
http://www.nwcn.com/statenews/idaho/sto ... c96e9.html

4th death

http://m.argusobserver.com/articles/200 ... 171716.txt

http://www.localnews8.com/Global/story.asp?S=11291323

Idaho Falls Hospitals Restrict Certain Visitors During Flu Season

More and more people testing positive for the swine flu prompt two Idaho Falls hospitals to tighten up who they allow in the door.

Visitors who are pregnant, sick or under the age of 18 are asked to stay away from the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center and Mountain View Hospital.

But they believe by taking these preventative measures, it will help stop further spread of the flu especially the unrelenting H1N1 virus.

"We really are in the middle of an epidemic," said Dr. Jeff Stieglitz, an EIRMC Emergency Room doctor.

It's an escalating epidemic sweeping contagious germs throughout Eastern Idaho with more and more H1N1 cases turning up earlier in the season.

"It was in Idaho Falls nearly from day one when the schools started," Dr. Stieglitz explained.

Local health administrators want to stop the spread so they're asking for:

No hospital visitors under the age of 18 unless they're a parent of a hospital patient.

Pregnant women are strongly discouraged from visiting hospitals and if they do, they'll be encouraged to wear a mask.

People with respiratory or flu-like symptoms should avoid visiting hospitals.

And, Portneuf Medical Center asks for only one visitor at a time for patients in their emergency room.

.... more at link

Pregnant Women Fear Swine Flu Virus

IDAHO FALLS - The unrelenting H1N1 flu virus infects a growing group whose immune systems are already being compromised.

Local women's healthcare centers report an increasing number of pregnant women testing positive for the swine flu.

In some severe cases, it's causing doctors to deliver babies well before their due dates.

Since pregnant women's immune systems are already vulnerable to viruses, more and more are contracting this extremely contagious disease.

As one expectant mother says you never think it's going to happen to you until it does.

"When you hear swine flu, you're already thinking the worst," said Idaho Falls pregnant woman Hilary Cherry.

And when you're pregnant and test positive for swine flu, you think the worst has come.

Just weeks ago, expectant mother Hilary Cherry and her two daughters all got sick with the virus.

"They said it was positive and it was like, I couldn't even believe it. I just cried," Cherry explained.

Nurses say they are testing more pregnant women for this strain of the flu and many are coming back positive.

A handful of expecting mothers with severe cases of the H1N1 virus have had doctors deliver their babies before their due dates.

"It's definitely emotional to any mother who delivers early. It's not anything expected and when it's caused by something like this, it's out of anyone's control," said Britni Burnside, licensed practical nurse at Rosemark Women's Care Center.

Cherry fears that exact scenario could have happened to her and her unborn baby.

"I'm only 21 weeks pregnant. The survival rate would be zero, so it could've been a lot worse," Cherry described.

For now, she's counting her blessings and encourages all pregnant women if they get the swine flu to get the medication before it's too late.

"It just might be worth it. It just might be the difference between your baby living and your baby not living," Cherry said.

Vaccines to prevent getting the swine flu are in the state of Idaho.

Rosemark Women's Center says they'll be getting their first batch sometime this week and will be giving them out to their high-risk pregnant patients.

Free H1N1 flu vaccination clinics will happen across eastern Idaho.

Since there are a limited number of vaccines available, the Eastern Idaho Public Health District will be giving them out to those who are at highest risk of complications from the swine flu.

FREE Clinic in Bonneville County will happen Friday, October 23rd, 2009 from 8:00a.m. to 8:00p.m. at the Bonneville High School Auxiliary Gym (north end of school) at 3165 E. Iona Road in Idaho Falls.