First La Plata H1N1 Death

The death of a La Plata County female in her mid-twenties was associated with H1N1 flu. San Juan Basin Health just received confirmation from the Colorado state lab today that the woman had H1N1. The woman died at home and had not been hospitalized. She did have an underlying health condition.

“We are deeply saddened by this death and our hearts go out to her family,” said Bari Wagner, Communicable Disease nurse for San Juan Basin Health.  “Any death related to H1N1 flu is tragic, but particularly heartbreaking is a death of young person,” said Wagner. This is the third death in Southwest Colorado associated with H1N1. The other two deaths reported last week were Montezuma County residents.

 “We strongly advise individuals who are high risk for developing complications to contact their healthcare provider if they have the flu,” said Wagner. They can get a prescription for antiviral drugs (Tamiflu) which will hopefully help to lessen the severity and duration of the illness so these individuals don’t develop the complications.”  

Individuals considered at high risk are:

·         Children younger than 2 years old

·         People 65 years and older

·         Pregnant women

·         People who have:

      Cancer

      Blood disorders (including sickle cell disease)

      Chronic lung disease [including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)]

      Diabetes

      Heart disease

      Kidney disorders

      Liver disorders

      Neurological disorders (including nervous system, brain or spinal cord)

      Neuromuscular disorders (including muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis)

      Weakened immune systems (including people with AIDS)

The CDC recommends that antivirals be prescribed to those that at risk for complications.

Almost 2000 individuals within priority high-risk groups have been vaccinated in our community so far. San Juan Basin Health begins its in-school vaccination effort next Thursday in Ignacio and Bayfield and the following week in Durango 9R elementary schools. There will be enough vaccine available for anyone who wishes to receive it hopefully by mid December.

It is also possible for healthy people to develop severe illness from the flu so anyone concerned about their illness should consult a health care provider if they see emergency warning signs:
Emergency warning signs in adults are:

·         Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

·         Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

·         Sudden dizziness

·         Confusion

·         Severe or persistent vomiting

·         Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Individuals still urged to practice the same everyday precautions to help limit the spread of H1N1 and protect one another: washing your hands often, covering your cough and sneeze with a tissue or into the crook of your elbow, staying home when ill until 24 hours after fever is gone.

San Juan Basin Health continues working with community partners including local school districts, the La Plata County Office of Emergency Management, Mercy Regional Medical Center and local healthcare providers to help limit the impact of H1N1 within our community and monitor the this continually evolving situation.

For vaccination updates and H1N1 resources, visit www.sjbhd.org  or call the La Plata County InfoLine at 385-INFO(4636), ext. 2270. San Juan Basin Health’s FluLine is 247-5702, ext. 1520. Individuals who want to speak to a live operator can call the Colorado Health Info Line (CoHELP) at 1-877-462-2911.

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