Rhiza Labs FluTracker Forum

The health department of Montgomery County in Pennsylvania has issued a press release announcing three influenza deaths (2M, 32F, 24M). Although specifics on the serotype were not given, the ages of the three victims suggests it is H1N1. Earlier an H1N1 outbreak was announced in Lehigh County, just to the north of Montgomery County, and at least two previously healthy young adults (45M and 28M) died. Prior reports from Pennsylvania had the death total at four, which were likely to have been in the vicinity of Lehigh County.

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January 4, 2011 (Norristown, PA) The Montgomery County Health
Department is advising the public of the dangers of influenza, which has
already claimed the life of a child and two adults in the County for the
2010/2011 flu season.
A two-year-old Lower Merion boy, 32-year-old Upper Merion woman and a 24-
year-old Norristown man are the first three people in Montgomery County to
succumb to influenza this season.
“The flu season can continue until May”, said Dr. Joseph DiMino, Director of
Health. “It’s important if you haven’t gotten a flu shot that you make
arrangements to get one. It’s not too late to get the flu shot.”
The influenza vaccine remains the most important way to prevent infection.
Individuals with underlying, chronic health conditions are at an increased risk
for complications from influenza, and vaccination is especially important. The
influenza vaccine is free to county residents and is available at the health
department clinics.
Symptoms of flu include fever, cough, and often, extreme fatigue. Sore throat,
headache, muscle aches, and a runny or stuffy nose are also often present.
While shots are the best protection, basic infection control measures can also
reduce the spread of flu. These measures include covering your mouth when
coughing and sneezing, staying at home when you or your children are sick
and washing your hands frequently.
The Health Department is currently offering flu shots on a walk in basis. To
locate a health department clinic in your area and the walk-in schedule, or for
more information on influenza, visit the MCHD website at
www.health.montcopa.org

http://www.health.montcopa.org/health/c ... 0cfa53.pdf

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Two flu deaths were reported during week 52, in addittion to the six deaths reported since October of 2010. A total of 8 flu deaths have been reported this season.

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/se ... 490&mode=2

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NORRISTOWN — A 2-year-old boy and two adults have died as the result of influenza this year, the Montgomery County Health Department announced Tuesday afternoon.

According to the health department, the 2-year-old boy lived in Lower Merion, and the two adults, ages 24 and 32, were from Norristown and Upper Merion, respectively.

The health department warned the general public that the only way to avoid influenza infection is to obtain a flu shot.

“The flu season can continue until May”, said Dr. Joseph DiMino, director of health for the county. “It’s important if you haven’t gotten a flu shot that you make arrangements to get one. It’s not too late to get the flu shot.”

The health department also advised people to wash their hands often during flu season and to cough into their elbow to avoid spreading germs.

Those with underlying health conditions are most in danger of suffering complications from the flu, the health department warned.

The health department is offering flu shots at walk-in clinics. To find out where you can get a flu shot, visit www.health.montcopa.org

http://www.pottstownmercury.com/article ... 485315.txt

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By KEITH PHUCAS
Times Herald Staff

COURTHOUSE — Three people have died of influenza infections in Montgomery County this flu season, according to the county Health Department.

The victims include a 2-year-old Lower Merion boy, a 32-year-old Upper Merion woman and a 24-

year-old Norristown man. County Medical Director Dr. Joseph DiMino is urging anyone who has not yet received a flu shot to get one.

For more information on the flu, visit the Health Department website at www.health.montcopa.org.

http://www.timesherald.com/articles/201 ... 224264.txt

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The Montgomery County Health Department is advising the public of the dangers of influenza, which has already claimed the life of a child and two adults in the county for the 2010-2011 flu season.

A 2-year-old Lower Merion boy, 32-year-old Upper Merion woman and a 24-year-old Norristown man are the first three people in Montgomery County to succumb to influenza this season.

“The flu season can continue until May”, said Dr. Joseph DiMino, director of health. “It’s important if you haven’t gotten a flu shot that you make arrangements to get one. It’s not too late to get the flu shot.”

The influenza vaccine remains the most important way to prevent infection.

Individuals with underlying, chronic health conditions are at an increased risk for complications from influenza, and vaccination is especially important.

The influenza vaccine is free to county residents and is available at the health department clinics.

Symptoms of flu include fever, cough, and often, extreme fatigue. Sore throat, headache, muscle aches, and a runny or stuffy nose are also often present.

While shots are the best protection, basic infection control measures can also reduce the spread of flu. These measures include covering your mouth when coughing and sneezing, staying at home when you or your children are sick and washing your hands frequently.

The health department is currently offering flu shots on a walk in basis. To locate a health department clinic in your area and the walk-in schedule, or for more information on influenza, visit the MCHD website at www.health.montcopa.org.

http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/ ... 560039.txt

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Table 1: Trends in all Influenza Cases Reported in Pennsylvania this season, By County and Flu type, 10/05/2010-01/01/2011 (#=644)**

Influenza Cases Reported in Pennsylvania by County

County
Influenza Type

A
B
2009 A/H1N1
Unknown type
Total

ADAMS
3
0
0
0
3

ALLEGHENY
21
7
0
6
34

ALLENTOWN
38
2
1
0
41

ARMSTRONG
3
0
0
0
3

BEAVER
2
9
0
0
11

BEDFORD
3
0
0
1
4

BERKS
17
1
1
0
19

BETHLEHEM
18
3
0
0
21

BLAIR
3
1
0
0
4

BRADFORD
4
2
0
0
6

BUCKS
14
0
0
0
14

BUTLER
1
0
0
0
1

CARBON
5
5
0
1
11

CENTRE
1
1
0
0
2

CHESTER
17
1
0
1
19

CLARION
1
1
0
0
2

CLEARFIELD
1
2
0
1
4

CLINTON
2
0
0
0
2

COLUMBIA
2
0
0
0
2

CRAWFORD
2
0
0
0
2

CUMBERLAND
4
0
0
0
4

DAUPHIN
9
1
0
0
10

DELAWARE
13
0
0
0
13

ERIE
14
0
1
0
15

FAYETTE
5
2
0
0
7

FRANKLIN
8
5
2
0
15

HUNTINGDON
0
1
0
0
1

INDIANA
2
0
0
0
2

LACKAWANNA
10
0
1
0
11

LANCASTER
52
1
1
0
54

LAWRENCE
1
1
0
0
2

LEBANON
13
0
1
0
14

LEHIGH
30
7
3
0
40

LUZERNE
42
1
1
0
44

LYCOMING
10
6
0
0
16

MCKEAN
5
0
0
0
5

MERCER
3
0
0
0
3

MONROE
14
0
1
0
15

MONTGOMERY
21
2
1
0
24

MONTOUR
2
0
0
0
2

NORTHAMPTON
42
2
3
0
47

NORTHUMBERLAND
3
0
0
0
3

PHILADELPHIA
15
1
5
0
21

PIKE
2
0
0
0
2

SCHUYLKILL
14
1
0
0
15

SNYDER
6
0
0
0
6

SOMERSET
4
0
0
0
4

SULLIVAN
2
0
0
0
2

VENANGO
6
0
1
0
7

WARREN
3
0
0
0
3

WASHINGTON
1
2
0
0
3

WESTMORELAND
4
1
0
1
6

WILKES-BARRE
8
1
0
0
9

YORK
12
0
0
0
12

YORK CITY
2
0
0
0
2

Total
540
70
23
11
644

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Could this be related to the three unsubtypeable samples detected during week 51?

Yes, the ages matches those for pH1N1. But, if trH3N2 is spreading would attack preferably people in this age group.

The PA data is bizzare and it is hard to come to definitive conclusions, but since a flu shot would not protect against trH3N2, I strongly suspect this is H1N1. The largest number of confirmed H1N1 cases in PA is in adjacent Philadelphia, and H1N1 kills young adults, while there have not yet been any reported trH3N2 fatalities.

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Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/01041 ... ont_3.html

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