First swine flu-related death reported in Missouri

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http://www.marshallnews.com/story/1540629.html

First swine flu-related death reported in Missouri

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

A St. Louis County man died today from medical complications he developed after

coming down with a severe case of the flu caused by the 2009 H1N1 virus,

according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior

Services.

The man, age 44, is the first Missouri resident and the eighth person in the

United States to die after becoming ill with the 2009 H1N1 flu virus, commonly

known as the swine flu. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine a definitive

cause of death, state health officials said.

The H1N1 virus, which has sickened more than 5,000 people nationwide, has been

confirmed in 20 patients in Missouri. In each of the other Missouri cases, the

flu symptoms have been relatively mild.

The St. Louis County man had traveled last month to Mexico, where the H1N1 virus

emerged, according to the news release.

Health authorities said he returned on April 27 and became ill a week later.

The man went to an urgent treatment center on May 9 and was admitted to a

hospital the same day.

The H1N1 virus has been more virulent in Mexico than in the United States. The

World Health Organization reports that Mexico has attributed at least 72 deaths

to the new flu virus.

The deceased man's family members have been contacted and given anti-viral

medication.

In addition, all medical personnel who treated the man have received anti-viral

medication. Such medicines are most effective if taken within 48 hours of the

patient becoming sick.

" Our deepest condolences go out to this man's family and his friends, " said

Margaret Donnelly, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior

Services. " We are working hard to determine why this case of flu became so much

more severe than other cases in Missouri. "

Staff members from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the

St. Louis County Health Department are continuing to investigate the case to

determine whether any underlying medical condition could have contributed to the

man's death.

State and county health officials are working closely on the investigation with

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.