The H1N1 virus has claimed its first victim in Allen County.
A middle-aged woman died this week of flu-related illness, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health announced Friday. Laboratory testing confirmed she had the H1N1 virus, which is also known as swine flu.
Health officials declined to release her age. And although she did seek treatment at a hospital, it was unknown how long she had been sick.
Department spokesman John Silcox does not believe the Allen County resident was considered among the high-risk groups who are most susceptible to serious complications related to the flu.
State, local and national health officials have focused vaccination efforts on children, pregnant women and adults with chronic health conditions because they are more at risk for serious complications. But that doesn’t mean the general population isn’t vulnerable as well, Silcox said.
“We know that all of us could be vulnerable at any time,” he said.
Allen County Health Commissioner Dr. Deborah McMahan extended her sympathies to the woman’s family. “This death is a reminder than H1N1 flu, just like seasonal influenza, can be a life-threatening disease,” she said in a written statement.
Ten other people across Indiana have died since June as a result of H1N1. In comparison, 700 to 800 people die a year of the seasonal flu in Indiana – most are elderly or very young, state health officials have said.
Because the county doesn’t have enough vaccine for everyone who needs or wants it, residents should take steps to protect themselves. Avoid people who are sick, stay home if you are sick, cover your cough and wash your hands, Silcox said.
“Those are still the best ways we can prevent the spread of the virus,” he said.
The county continues to schedule clinics to distribute vaccine to the public.
But Friday, the county invited health care workers and volunteers to a special clinic.
And next week Three Rivers Ambulance Authority will receive doses of the vaccine to protect its paramedic staff, Silcox said.
County health officials estimate that there are 20,000 health care and emergency medical staffers working in the county. But not all of them have direct contact with patients and might not need to be vaccinated.
The county has sent vaccine to area doctors’ offices and hospitals to vaccinate staff and at-risk patients. But not all workers have been able to get the vaccine, Silcox said.
Two clinics for the public are set for Monday and Tuesday at Carew Medical Park.
