DHSS Press Release

NEW CASTLE COUNTY DEATH EXAMINED FOR H1N1

Following notification today, Delaware’s Division of Public Health (DPH) is reviewing the Oct. 19 death of a 15-year-old New Castle County boy to determine if the cause of death is related to H1N1 influenza. The boy, who had a number of underlying health conditions, went to his doctor on Oct. 19 and was later transported to a Delaware hospital where initial testing for strep infection was positive and influenza was negative. Post-mortem test results Friday were positive for H1N1 influenza and the death will be reported to the CDC as H1N1-related since flu was present.

"I want to extend my sympathies to the family and friends of the boy," said Dr. Karyl Rattay, DPH director. "DPH is still exploring the role the H1N1 virus had in this case, since there were multiple other existing medical conditions."

Dr. Rattay urged those dealing with flu-like symptoms to monitor the severity of their illness.

Signs of serious flu illness in children are:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

In adults, signs of serious flu are:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

Certain groups of people are at higher risk of complications from the H1N1 flu, including people with chronic underlying health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and those who are immunosuppressed. For most healthy people this has been a mild infection.

From Aug. 30 to Oct. 10 in the U.S., there were 292 flu-related deaths, seasonal and H1N1 combined, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The death of a 35-year old Kent County woman Thursday from H1N1 influenza was announced by DPH yesterday. Precautions to help stop the spread of flu include:

• Get vaccinated against both H1N1 and seasonal flu.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue, or cough/sneeze into your inner elbow and not into your hands.
• If you are sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever goes away. This means no fever for at least 24 hours after you have stopped taking any fever-reducing medication. Employers are encouraged to be flexible with their employees on the issue of staying home when ill.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.