Press Releases

Maryland Reports Sixth (Swine) Flu-related Death

Health Officials urge Marylanders to take advantage of vaccines when available

Department of Health & Mental Hygiene News Release

Baltimore, MD (August 13, 2009) - The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) has reported Maryland’s sixth death associated with the novel H1N1 pandemic influenza to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The latest report involves an adult from the Washington suburbs who had underlying medical conditions. As before, personal details about the case, including age, gender and specific jurisdiction of residence, will not be released to protect the privacy of the resident and the resident’s family.  

The CDC reports as of August 6, 2009 that 436 people nationwide have died after contracting novel H1N1 influenza and 6,506 people have been hospitalized. CDC and state health departments have discontinued reporting of ill individuals as of July 24^th.* 

“Yet again, we regret to report another death associated with the novel H1N1 influenza,” said Frances Phillips, DHMH Deputy Secretary for Public Health.“We know how serious influenza can be and, unfortunately, expect more flu-related deaths as we head into the fall. We continue to urge all Maryland families to adopt preventive practices such as frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes and to  take advantage of seasonal and H1N1 vaccines when immunizations are available.” 

 Symptoms of influenza include fever, cough, and sore throat. Additional symptoms may include chills, headache, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea or shortness of breath. 

Based on CDC figures, it is estimated that 1,000 Marylanders die every year from seasonal flu or its complications. Complications and death are more common among those with serious underlying health conditions. 

According to the CDC, people at a higher risk of serious health consequences from the H1N1 flu virus are the same as those with seasonal flu:  

• Children less than 5 years old

• Persons aged 65 years or older

• Pregnant women

• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities

• Persons who are extremely obese

• Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders

• Adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV)

• Children and adolescents (less than 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection

As with seasonal flu, the best protection from contracting or spreading the novel H1N1 flu virus is to practice good personal hygiene: 

• Wash your hands often, especially after coughing, sneezing, and wiping or blowing the nose

• If you have flu symptoms, stay home and avoid contact with other people to protect them from catching your illness.

• Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing

• Use paper tissues when wiping or blowing your nose; throw tissues away after use

• Stay away from crowded living and sleeping spaces, if possible