FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                 October 6, 2009 

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY- St. Joseph County Health officials are investigating a possible influenza associated death in a St. Joseph County resident in collaboration with the Indiana State Department of Health.

Preliminary results indicate presence of the influenza virus, however confirmatory results are awaiting from the Indiana State Department of Health lab.  While the news of this death is saddening, and St. Joseph County Health Department officials extend their deepest condolences to the family, this is a grim reminder influenza always has the potential to be very serious and even cause death.

Influenza activity continues to increase in St. Joseph County as well as throughout the nation, and is higher than what is expected this time of year, however according to the CDC, the proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza is low and within the bounds of what is expected at this time of year.   The St. Joseph County Health Department continues to monitor local influenza trends in collaboration with the Indiana State Department of Health and CDC, but would like to inform residents that the majority of local cases exhibit mild illness that is not any greater than what is typically seen with seasonal influenza every year. 

Health officials would like to urge all St. Joseph County residents take steps to protect themselves against the influenza virus including getting vaccinated.  The St. Joseph County Health Department has received the county’s first shipment of live, attenuated nasal mist form of the H1N1 flu vaccine, however only limited quantities of this vaccine are available at this time, and the St. Joseph County Health Department is currently working with local providers to ensure access to this vaccine to residents that fall within the identified CDC target groups to first receive the vaccine. 

• The CDC guidance for vaccine priority groups are as follows:
• Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
  Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in children and they are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
• Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

St. Joseph County Health officials expect a substantial supply of both the nasal and the injectable forms of the H1N1 flu vaccine to be available in mid-October and are working with local health care providers to ensure accessibility of the vaccine for residents identified in the vaccine priority groups.  Efforts to vaccinate all residents will occur once there is enough vaccine available for everyone. 

"We wish we had enough of the H1N1 flu vaccine to vaccinate every Hoosier," said Dr. Monroe, Indiana State Health Commissioner.  "However, everyone should be getting their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible.”  The St. Joseph County is currently out of seasonal flu vaccine, however residents can call the United Way 211 for information on additional seasonal flu vaccine availability in St. Joseph County. 

St. Joseph County Health officials also recommend individuals practice other measures that can help protect against the flu by following the three C’s: Clean your hands often, Cover your cough and sneezes, and Contain germs by steering clear of others who are sick and staying home if you are sick.  Health officials also encourage other healthy habits such as getting plenty of sleep, eating nutritious foods, and drinking plenty of fluids.

For more information about influenza and the vaccine please visit the Indiana State Department of Health website at www.in.gov/flu.  The Department will also be offering a toll-free hotline for the public to call for information on the H1N1 flu and its vaccine at: 1-877-826-0011 or TTY 1-888-561-0044.