Rhiza Labs FluTracker Forum

By ERIC S. SMITH, Special to the Times

The H1N1 virus, known as swine flu, has claimed its first life in Chester County, according to county health officials.

A female county resident died in a Philadelphia hospital last week due to complications with the H1N1 virus, said county Public Information Officer Rebecca Brain. The victim had multiple underlying health issues, Brain said, but no other information — including her name, age and address — could be provided because of hospital-patient privacy laws.

The state Department of Health Web site reports there have been 49 H1N1 deaths across the state, but this is the first in the county. The county has had 340 confirmed cases of the swine flu, and there have been 10,499 confirmed cases statewide.

[...]
[Spokesman for Maryland's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene David] Paulson said there's no evidence of an increase in swine-flu cases.

"It's not looking like we'll see one, at least at this point," he said. But "that's the danger of having a third peak. That's when it comes back and bites you, and people die."

More than 1 million people in Maryland have been vaccinated. "Is our herd immunity so great right now we won't see that much more H1N1?" Paulson asked.

Health officials say they would usually see a boost in regular flu cases about now. Last year's flu season peaked about the end of February, Paulson said.

But they haven't seen that, either.

"We're kind of sitting here scratching our heads, saying, 'Where's the flu, H1N1 or seasonal?' " Paulson said.

[...]
Maryland health officials have logged 44 lab-confirmed H1N1 deaths. The number is probably much higher, but many cases of disease were not confirmed.
[...]

Apr 1, 2010 1:52 pm US/Eastern Md. Reports Another Swine Flu Death BALTIMORE (WJZ)

Maryland's 45th H1N1 flu-related death has been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The latest swine flu-related death in Maryland is an adult from the Baltimore metro area.

The report was made as the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announces an intense schedule of more than 150 free swine flu vaccination clinics at local health departments during National Public Health Week, Monday, April 5 - 11.

"This death reminds us that the H1N1 flu is still with us. Although at lower levels, it continues to put people of all ages in the hospital and unfortunately can lead to death," said John M. Colmers, DHMH Secretary. "That is why we will continue to make free vaccine available to every Marylander who wants it. Everyone who is vaccinated has the best protection against the flu for themselves and their families."

While flu activity officially remains "sporadic" across Maryland, CDC officials reported earlier this week that three Southeastern states are seeing a resurgence of swine flu. The increase infection rates are due in part to low vaccination rates among the population, according to the CDC.

Preliminary CDC estimates show 26 percent of Marylanders have been vaccinated against the swine flu.

"Seasons may change but the H1N1 (swine) Flu remains with us and poses a serious threat to many," said Frances Phillips, DHMH Deputy Secretary for Public Health. "It's not too late to vaccinate because H1N1 (swine) Flu knows no season. In fact, this flu proved its persistence by infecting thousands of people last spring and summer, long after the regular flu season was over."

Local health departments in all 24 Maryland jurisdictions will be conducting over 150 walk-in, appointment and specially scheduled vaccination clinics from April 5 - 11. Anyone interested in vaccination can call 2-1-1 or visit www.flu.Maryland.gov .

Cheverly, Md. - It's been almost a year since the swine flu first hit the D.C. Region, and although the potentially deadly flu virus is rarely heard of nowadays, health officials warn it still poses a threat and are urging people to get vaccinated.

It was just last May when schools nationwide were closed for cleaning and people were seen walking around with surgical masks on their face. Last fall hundreds lined up for scarce doses of H1N1 vaccine and Tamiflu.

Now, the potentially deadly flu virus is rarely heard or thought of.

Indeed, the H1N1 flu has been mostly out of sight out of mind, except among public health professionals.

"We still have people who are developing the flu from H1N1 and we still have people getting ill," said Fran Phillips, Maryland health officer.

In fact, Maryland reported the state's 45th death from H1N1 just this week.

Phillips says those who haven't had an H1N1 shot should get one now, saying there is plenty of the vaccine available.

She says hundreds of thousands of doses of the vaccine at the Prince George's County Health Department are nearing expiration dates.

As a result, Phillips is pushing a flu shot free-for-all for every Maryland county next week. The hope is to protect as many people as possible before the vaccines go bad.

"If you haven't thought about it in a while, next week is the week to do it. Check it off, done," she said.

Phillips believes about 25% of Marylanders have taken the vaccine, but says she remains aware that many of the rest are reluctant to get the shot.

"Because I've been in good health without it. I don't think it's a need for me," said Crandra Bugg, Greenbelt resident.

"Now with the weather being what it is feeling we're out of flu season its just not something I think about," Julie Park, Greenbelt resident.

Still, health officials say it is as important as ever to get vaccinated and with the promise of free vaccines and no lines everyone should be on board to do so.

The Cheverly Health Clinic in P.G. County is just one of a number of locations that will be offering the free vaccine. In fact, every county will be participating. Those interested are asked to call your health department for information on where to get the free vaccine.

State swine flu levels sporadic
Health officials still urge shots as some vaccine is discarded
By SHANTEE WOODARDS, Staff Writer
Published 04/12/10
A portion of the county's H1N1 vaccine has been discarded, but health officials are still encouraging the public to get what remains.

County Health Department officials had to get rid of the nasal spray vaccine because it expired on March 31. That leaves a supply of about 6,500 doses of the injectable form of the vaccine, which doesn't expire until next year.

At this point, the department has distributed about 30,000 doses since receiving its first shipment in the fall.

"We're not out of the woods yet. We're still encouraging people to get the vaccine," said Elin Jones, spokeswoman for the health department. "There's still information about people who are still getting sick and still being hospitalized and still, unfortunately, dying."

Officials from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have listed Maryland H1N1, or swine flu, activity as sporadic.

The CDC has estimated that 26 percent of Marylanders have been vaccinated against the illness. Still, there have been 1,102 hospitalizations from the illness since May 1.

The state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has reported 45 deaths - 40 adults and five children - from the illness, the most recent one reported in late March.

That total includes an 18-year-old Brooklyn Park man who was hospitalized after a rising fever. Walter Brooks Jr. died at the University of Maryland Medical Center, and health officials later confirmed that he had swine flu.

The swine flu has symptoms similar to the seasonal flu, but concerns should arise when there is a fever of 100 degrees or higher and a cough or sore throat. With swine flu, adults experience difficulty breathing and pressure in the chest or abdomen, while children experience fever with rash and bluish or grayish skin, health officials said.

"Seasons may change, but the H1N1 flu remains with us and poses a serious threat to many," Frances Phillips, Maryland's deputy secretary for public health, said in a statement.

"It's not too late to vaccinate because (swine flu) knows no season. In fact, this flu proved its persistence by infecting thousands of people last spring and summer, long after the regular flu season was over."

.............The state reported its first lab-confirmed flu case of this season Wednesday, an adult with the H1N1 strain who is recovering........................................

BALTIMORE -- Maryland is reporting its first flu case of the season, and health officials are urging nearly everyone over six months old to get vaccinated.

State health officials said the first case has been determined to be the swine flu strain involved in last year's pandemic.............