Family Health Articles

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) announced that a Butler County male in his 40s, who was infected with H1N1 influenza, died June 29. This is the first Ohio death linked to the pandemic strain of influenza. The patient had underlying health problems that may have contributed to his death.

The H1N1 infection was confirmed at the ODH laboratory today. ODH is unable to provide further details about the patient to protect confidentially. Patient contacts are being identified to determine whether public health interventions are necessary.

Children undergoing surgery naturally experience anxiety. Waking up from anesthesia can cause behavior changes that occur in twenty percent of children, known as emergence delirium. Researchers have found that giving children melatonin before surgery can significantly reduce post surgery anxiety and behavioral changes in children. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates circadian rhythm, and is produced in the brain.

As a result GPs will now diagnose cases on the basis of clinical observation rather than laboratory testing. Everyone who has flu-like symptoms will be assessed by a doctor and may be given antivirals to manage their illness. Routine swabbing of suspected cases will now stop, and the Health Protection Agency will no longer trace close contacts and provide antivirals to limit spread.

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold is again reminding the public that the H1N1 influenza virus continues to circulate in Illinois and people should continue to take preventative steps to stay healthy and limit the spread of the virus. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting 3,166 confirmed and probable cases of H1N1 influenza in Illinois, including 13 deaths.

County breakdown of Illinois H1N1 influenza related deaths:

5 – Chicago
5 – Suburban Cook County
1 – Kane County
1 – Lake County
1 – LaSalle County

The Orange County Health Department has been informed of a second death associated with the Novel H1N1/ “Swine Flu” within Orange County.

A 37 yr old female from Newburgh was first symptomatic on 6/16 and was hospitalized on 6/22. The decedent had no known underlying medical conditions and the case is being reviewed through the ME office for CDC and NYSDOH. County Executive Diana extends the entire County’s deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this most recent victim.

The Ocean County Health Department today announced its first death of a county resident, who was confirmed by the State Public Health Laboratory yesterday, with the novel H1N1 virus. In addition, the young child had other underlying medical conditions.

The individual, a child from Jackson Township, was admitted to the hospital on June 25th and died on June 27th.

Ella Boyd, VMD, Public Health Coordinator , said that residents of Ocean County need to continue taking proper precautions to protect themselves and their families, including:

A second death in Virginia associated with the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus, also called swine flu, was announced today by State Health Commissioner Karen Remley, M.D., MBA.

Two more deaths in Boston have been linked to H1N1 influenza (swine flu), bringing the total number of H1N1-related deaths to four in Massachusetts, the Boston Public Health Commission and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced today.

The Southern Nevada Health District announced the first H1N1-related death in a Clark County resident. The patient is a 33-year-old man with no underlying medical conditions. He had been hospitalized since June 15 and died Sunday, June 28. The health district is not able to release additional details due to patient privacy concerns. To date, there are 80 confirmed novel H1N1 cases in Clark County, a majority of which have experienced mild illness.

Washington’s program that uses state and federal funds to buy vaccine for all children in the state is changing. Starting July 1, human papillomavirus vaccine will no longer be bought with state money. Next May, state funds will no longer be used to buy any childhood vaccine — allowing time to plan a smooth transition so there are no breaks in vaccinating kids.