The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced the deaths of two more people linked to H1N1 influenza (swine flu) in the state. A 13 year-old Worcester County resident, who died last week, has been confirmed to have had H1N1. He had a number of underlying health conditions that put him at greater risk of complications from the flu. Confirmatory test results are pending at the Hinton State Laboratory Institute for a 64 year-old Worcester County resident, who died over the weekend, and also had a series of underlying health conditions.
“It is with great sadness that we have learned of two more deaths including the first pediatric death of a Massachusetts resident related to H1N1. We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of both of these individuals,” said DPH Commissioner John Auerbach. “While most cases of H1N1 in Massachusetts and across the nation have been less severe, this news demonstrates once again how serious influenza can be.”
As of today, there have been more than 1300 confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza in Massachusetts. Sixty-four percent of the confirmed cases in Massachusetts have been in people under the age of 18. Each year, seasonal influenza causes 250,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths nationally.
Read the Announcement: Download 2009-7-13 WorcCountyH1N1 final
Where in Worcester County did these confirmed and uncomfirmed H1N1 deaths occur?
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Suzanne Crowther responds: The State Department of Public Health does not release information more specific than the country level.
Posted by: ilyne | July 14, 2009 at 06:57 PM
When will MA start to discuss how they will distribute the 7.4 million they may get for swine flu?
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Suzanne Crowther responds: We are in the process on conducting intense planning for our H1N1 response. Included in this is a review of the requirements for spending federal funding.
Posted by: jason | July 14, 2009 at 10:01 AM