Swine flu turns deadly in Washington state
SEATTLE - A Snohomish County man in his 30s has become the first Washington state resident to die from complications of swine flu, officials with the state Health Department said Saturday.
Health Department officials said the man, who had an underlying heart condition, died Wednesday. His identity was not released.
It is the third confirmed death from swine flu in the United States, and the first one outside Texas.
The man reportedly began showing symptoms on April 30, and was treated with medications. He had viral pneumonia at the time of his death May 6, but that he also had swine flu and it is considered a factor in the death.
"This death is tragic. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this man’s passing," said Gov. Chris Gregoire. "It’s a sobering reminder that influenza is serious, and can be fatal."
"I know our public health agencies are doing everything they can to track and monitor this outbreak and to protect the people of our state," Gregoire added.
While this marks the first death in Washington state related to swine flu, the case counts are expected to continue rising for some time to come, officials said.
"We’re working with local and federal partners to track this outbreak," said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "And while most illnesses from this new flu strain have been fairly mild, we must remember that influenza claims about 36,000 lives every year nationwide. That’s why we urge people to take this outbreak, and the seasonal flu we see every year, very seriously."
The new H1N1 strain of swine flu has been similar to seasonal flu in symptoms, spread, and response to treatment. Typically, people with existing health conditions are at greater risk of serious health effects from influenza.
The state currently has a total of 101 confirmed cases of swine flu.
As of Saturday, 70 cases were confirmed in King County, which includes Seattle; 18 were confirmed in Snohomish County; five in Pierce County; two each in Spokane, Whatcom and Clark counties; and one each in Thurston and Skagit counties.
The probable cases include 10 in King County and nine in Snohomish County.
Worldwide, some 53 people have died from complications of swine flu - 48 in Mexico; three in the U.S.; one in Canada and one in Costa Rica. One of those who died in the U.S. was a toddler from Mexico. Officials said the Canadian, U.S. and Costa Rican victims also had other underlying medical conditions.
There are more than 4,150 confirmed swine flu cases in 29 countries, including at least 1,578 in Mexico, at least 2,254 in the United States and 281 in Canada.
Flu symptoms often include fever, muscle aches, cough, and sometimes trouble breathing.
State health officials said it’s important for people who are sick with flu-like symptoms to stay home or go to a health care provider if they become seriously ill. If children are sick, they should be kept out of school or day care until they’re well.
Health Department officials said the man, who had an underlying heart condition, died Wednesday. His identity was not released.
It is the third confirmed death from swine flu in the United States, and the first one outside Texas.
The man reportedly began showing symptoms on April 30, and was treated with medications. He had viral pneumonia at the time of his death May 6, but that he also had swine flu and it is considered a factor in the death.
"This death is tragic. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this man’s passing," said Gov. Chris Gregoire. "It’s a sobering reminder that influenza is serious, and can be fatal."
"I know our public health agencies are doing everything they can to track and monitor this outbreak and to protect the people of our state," Gregoire added.
While this marks the first death in Washington state related to swine flu, the case counts are expected to continue rising for some time to come, officials said.
"We’re working with local and federal partners to track this outbreak," said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "And while most illnesses from this new flu strain have been fairly mild, we must remember that influenza claims about 36,000 lives every year nationwide. That’s why we urge people to take this outbreak, and the seasonal flu we see every year, very seriously."
The new H1N1 strain of swine flu has been similar to seasonal flu in symptoms, spread, and response to treatment. Typically, people with existing health conditions are at greater risk of serious health effects from influenza.
The state currently has a total of 101 confirmed cases of swine flu.
As of Saturday, 70 cases were confirmed in King County, which includes Seattle; 18 were confirmed in Snohomish County; five in Pierce County; two each in Spokane, Whatcom and Clark counties; and one each in Thurston and Skagit counties.
The probable cases include 10 in King County and nine in Snohomish County.
Worldwide, some 53 people have died from complications of swine flu - 48 in Mexico; three in the U.S.; one in Canada and one in Costa Rica. One of those who died in the U.S. was a toddler from Mexico. Officials said the Canadian, U.S. and Costa Rican victims also had other underlying medical conditions.
There are more than 4,150 confirmed swine flu cases in 29 countries, including at least 1,578 in Mexico, at least 2,254 in the United States and 281 in Canada.
Flu symptoms often include fever, muscle aches, cough, and sometimes trouble breathing.
State health officials said it’s important for people who are sick with flu-like symptoms to stay home or go to a health care provider if they become seriously ill. If children are sick, they should be kept out of school or day care until they’re well.