Thaindian News

Kansas, Sep 24 (THAINDIAN NEWS) State and local public health officials have confirmed two deaths in Kansas of people infected with the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus. One was a 16 year old child from northeast Kansas.

The child was hospitalized and had other underlying health conditions. Laboratory testing confirmed the child had the H1N1 virus yesterday evening, when it was already too late to administer the drugs for Swine Flu.

In the other case, a 30-year old adult from northeast Kansas succumbed to Swine Flu. He was also hospitalized and had other underlying health conditions. In a repeat of the previous case, laboratory testing confirmed the adult had the H1N1 virus yesterday evening, when again it was already too late to administer the drugs for Swine Flu.

KDHE Secretary Roderick Bremby and Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips, Kansas State Health Officer, expressed sympathy and offered their deepest condolences to the families of the two individuals.

“While the majority of people experience mild illness, these deaths illustrate the risk that those with underlying health conditions have when infected with the H1N1 virus,” Dr. Eberhart-Phillips said. “It is so critical that people take seriously the potential dangers of this disease and recognize the importance of working towards preventing further spread and receiving the H1N1 vaccine as soon as it becomes available.”

With these two deaths, the Kansas Swine Flu death toll has climbed to four.

The symptoms of Swine Flu are fever greater than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting also.

People, who are in the high risk category of Swine flu infection, include children less than 5 years of age, adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, and persons with chronic medical conditions (including asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions).

As with any influenza virus, individuals are encouraged to take the following steps to reduce further spreading of Swine Flu:

1) Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

2) If you become sick, stay home until at least 24 hours after fever or signs of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, in order to avoid spreading illness to co-workers and friends.

3) Cough or sneeze into a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues. If you do not have a tissue, cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow and not your hands.

4) Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise.

KDHE has established a phone number for concerned citizens to call with questions about the Swine Flu virus. The toll-free number is 1-877-427-7317. Operators will be available to answer questions from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Citizens with questions about the virus can email H1N1fluinfo@kdheks.gov. Information is also available from KDHE at www.kdheks.gov.