Swine flu kills girl
Swine flu fatality is first for SB County
After hospitalizing 20 county residents over the past few months, the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, caused the first known fatality here on Saturday, killing an adolescent girl, officials with the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department announced.
The girl, whose age and name were not released, had suffered from chronic medical conditions prior to contracting the flu, officials said.
According to a news release from the Health Department, the girl was transferred to Cottage Hospital “from another local hospital,” on Sept. 18. The girl was suffering from a fever, cough, shortness of breath and seizures.
Prior to the girl’s death, officials said she developed pneumonia and sepsis, a blood infection.
“We are deeply saddened with the knowledge that a family has lost a child,” said Michele Mickiewicz, interim director for the Public Health Department. “We recognize that any death is a loss, but there is a special level of empathy for a family when it is a child.”
Though officials believe the girl had contracted swine flu, the statement said a state laboratory has not yet confirmed this.
As of Sept. 30, the Public Health Department said 20 people in the county had been hospitalized after contracting swine flu, six of whom were admitted to intensive care units.
The disease has taken its largest toll on the young. Of the 20 people admitted to the hospital since June, 11 were between the ages of 11 and 31, three others were between the ages of seven and nine and three more were infants. The remaining three were at least 47 years old, a Health Department news release said.
Officials could not be reached for additional comment last night.
The statement said influenza is generally a mild illness for healthy people, but can take its heaviest toll on those with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. Officials urged residents to take steps to protect themselves against the spread of illness, and implored those who fall ill to immediately contact a doctor.
More information about H1N1 influenza is available at www.sbcfluinfo.org. Information is also available by calling the H1N1 flu tip-line at 1-888-722-6358.
Comment on this article
Swine Flu death : 10/6/2009
It certainly looks to me, as a microbiologist, that the actual cause of death was the secondary infection. Please try to be less dramatic in dealing with Swine Flu.
Observer
Swine Flu death : 10/6/2009
Dear "Observer", As a microbiologist I would hope that you would realize that it was a variation of H1N1 that was responsible for the "Spanish Flu" pandemic of 1918 that killed tens of millions of healthy adult aged people worldwide. As a microbiologist I would think you have an understanding about genetic mutation and virulence potentials of this virus. We all understand that this particular strain of H1N1 is not as virulent as its predecessor, but reporting to the people what is a public health threat is not being overly "dramatic". There is real potential here for this virus to possibly cause another pandemic, depending on how the virus evolves.
SV
Swine Flu : 10/6/2009
Just Nature's way of thinning the population
Earth First
: 10/6/2009
Earth First, Maybe you should start by "thinning" yourself. Make us all proud of your concern for overpopulation and all concerns Earthly! Go ahead and jump!! be a martyr!!
Stupid post
Earth First : 10/6/2009
Practice what you preach. Infect yourself and be a martyr for all concerned!
Swine Flu Death : 10/6/2009
I agree with the Observer the article says "state laboratory has not yet confirmed this". The pubic needs to be informed but if you don't have all the facts don't be so dramatic in your headline.
MB
Earth First : 10/6/2009
I am guessing you don't have children. If that was your child you would feel differently - shame on you.
A mother.
A little misleading... : 10/6/2009
Don't you think that before creating a headline that states "Girl Dies of Swine Flu" you should be sure that was the case? As I read on they clearly say they have no conclusive test of that as the time of her death. It seems you are just trying to cause hysteria and sell a paper on false disclosures.
S. Brown
Umm : 10/10/2009
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