Press release from the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health:
Health officials confirm first H1N1 death in Allen County
Vaccine available Monday at CarewA middle-aged woman who died this week from complications of influenza-like illness is the first death from H1N1 in Allen County.
Laboratory testing confirmed today the cause of death as related to H1N1 flu. Health officials will not be releasing any other information about the individual for confidentiality reasons.
This would be the 12th confirmed H1N1 flu-related death in Indiana since June.
“Our sympathy goes out to the family,” says Allen County Health Commissioner Dr. Deborah 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.”
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.
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