Baltimore, MD (September 25, 2009) - The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) will report to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Maryland's eighth death associated with H1N1 (Swine) Flu. The latest report involves a youth from the Baltimore metro area with serious underlying medical conditions. As before, personal details about the case, including age, gender and specific jurisdiction of residence, will not be released to protect the privacy of the resident and the resident's family.   

“We wish to extend our sympathies to the family and loved ones of this child - Maryland’s first pediatric death associated with H1N1 (Swine) Flu,” said DHMH Secretary John M. Colmers. “As expected, H1N1 flu infections are on the rise in Maryland as we head into the flu season and we are seeing an increase in related hospitalizations. Unfortunately, as with regular seasonal flu, we expect to see more deaths as a result." 

The CDC reports that since August 30 (the beginning of the 2009-2010 flu season) through September 19, that 936 people nationwide have died from influenza and pneumonia-associated illness and 10,082 have been hospitalized. CDC and state health departments discontinued reporting of individual cases as of July 24th.*  

"We continue to urge everyone to protect themselves by washing their hands frequently, covering coughs and staying home if sick,” said Frances Phillips, DHMH Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services. As we await delivery of the H1N1 (Swine) Flu vaccine in a few weeks, we urge everyone to get the seasonal flu vaccine now. It's important to remember that the seasonal flu shot will not protect you against the H1N1 (Swine) Flu."  

Symptoms of influenza include fever, cough, and sore throat. Additional symptoms may include chills, headache, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea or shortness of breath.  

Based on CDC figures, it is estimated that 1,000 Marylanders die every year from seasonal flu or its complications. Complications and death are more common among those with serious underlying health conditions.   

Good personal hygiene can reduce the risk of illness:  

• Wash your hands often

• Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing 

• If you have flu symptoms, stay home  

 

Additional Information

 

Maryland DHMH H1N1 Influenza information:

www.flu.maryland.gov

Updated CDC Guidance for Schools, Colleges and Universities, Employers and more:

http://www.flu.gov/

The Weekly CDC Novel H1N1 Flu Situation Update: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm

CDC Interim Patient Treatment and Risk Guidance: 

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/identifyingpatients.htm

 

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 *Editor's Note: CDC discontinued reporting of individual confirmed and probable cases of novel H1N1 infection on July 24, 2009. CDC will report the total number of hospitalizations and deaths weekly, and continue to use its traditional surveillance systems to track the progress of the novel H1N1 flu outbreak. For more information about CDC's novel H1N1 influenza surveillance system, see Questions & Answers About CDC's Novel H1N1 Influenza Surveillance.