H1N1 death confirmed in Allen County

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health has confirmed a middle-aged woman died this week from complications related to H1N1 flu.

Laboratory testing confirmed the cause of death on Friday.  Allen County Health Commissioner Dr. Deb McMahan said she died from pneumonia and wide-spread infection. She got the pneumonia and infection because of having the flu. Because of confidentiality reasons, health officials won't be releasing any more information about the person who died.

It is the first H1N1 related death in Allen County.   Last seasonal flu season, four people in Allen County died.

There have been 12 confirmed H1N1 deaths in Indiana since June.

“Our sympathy goes out to the family,” said McMahan. “We know that in most cases, the flu is a mild illness. But this death is a reminder that H1N1 flu, just like seasonal influenza, can be a life-threatening disease.”

McMahan added that the woman wasn't sick for very long and that her symptoms worsened quickly. McMahan said the woman did go to the hospital when she should have, but there wasn't anything doctors could do.

"There are times when a person gets infected with a virus or bacteria and there's just nothing you can do about it," McMahan said.

The health department will be holding a public vaccination clinic at Carew Medical Park on Monday, Nov. 2 from 2 to 7 p.m.

For now, the H1N1 injectable vaccine offered at Carew is being reserved for pregnant women, caregivers of children less than 6 months, and children six months through 18 years of age. The H1N1 nasal spray vaccine will also be available for healthy children and young adults (2 years – 24 years) and for people who live with or provide care to infants less than six months of age.

The department will also offer an H1N1 vaccine clinic for pregnant women on Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. The vaccine does not contain thimerosal.

More than 9,200 people have been vaccinated for H1N1 flu since the clinic opened on Oct. 9. The vaccine is free. Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of influenza should stay home and contact a health care provider. People can also limit the spread of flu by covering their cough and washing their hands.

For more information, go to www.FightTheFlu.org or call 2-1-1.

Vaccines available at the Carew Medical Park clinic

H1N1 vaccine (injectable)

· For pregnant women

· For children age 6 months through 18 years of age

· For persons of any age who live with or provide care for infants less than six months of age (e.g., parents, siblings, and daycare providers)

· If a person is ill with a fever, he or she cannot get the vaccine

H1N1 FluMist vaccine (nasal spray)

· For healthy children and young adults 2 to 24 years of age who do not have underlying health conditions

· For persons up to age 49 who live with or provide care for infants less than six months of age (e.g., parents, siblings, and daycare providers)

· No child younger than 2 years of age can get this vaccine

· No adult older than 49 can get this vaccine

· If a person has had any live vaccine such as the MMR, Varicella (chickenpox) or the seasonal flu mist vaccine in the last 28 days, he or she cannot receive the H1N1 FluMist vaccine

Children under the age of 10 will need two doses of the H1N1 vaccine, four weeks apart, to be fully protected

The seasonal flu vaccine is no longer available.

Be a Flu Fighter!

Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
Wash your hands often with soap and water especially after you cough or sneeze

Go to www.FightTheFlu.org

Information for this story was provided by the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health