Originally posted Thu, 2009-10-08 03:36
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The swine flu scare hit home with the Oct. 3 death of a 15-year-old boy who attended New Smyrna Beach High School, Volusia school district and county health officials confirmed.
The Volusia County Health Department was notified of the H1N1 swine flu-related death of the of the boy Saturday, whose name was not released to protect patient and family confidentiality. The New Smyrna boy's death is the fourth swine flu-related death so far countywide.
While most cases of H1N1 swine flu are mild, there are exceptions. This case involved health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from flu and because the child had special needs, he did not interact with a lot of the student population, health officials said.
Nonetheless, district officials Wednesday night issued a cautionary message through parents and guardians through the telephone call system urging parents to encourage their children to wash their hands frequently and to avoid contact with other children coughing and sneezing.
"On behalf of our entire school family, we express sincere condolences to the family," said Dr. Margaret Smith, superintendent of the Volusia County School District in a prepared statement. "Our hearts go out to them during this difficult time."
The Volusia County Health Department is preparing to receive the H1N1 nasal spray and the injectable vaccine which is expected this month. Vaccine arrivals are scheduled to continue weekly throughout October, November, and December. People should also check with their private doctors regarding the availability of the vaccine, said Stefany Strong, spokeswoman for the county health agency.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends priority groups receive the vaccine first as it begins arriving in local communities. The H1N1 priority groups include:
* Pregnant women;
* People caring for infants younger than six months;
* Health care and emergency medical services responders;
* People ages 6 months - 24 years;
* People ages 25 - 64 years with health conditions associated with a higher risk of medical complications from the flu.
“Getting vaccinated for protection against both seasonal flu and H1N1 swine flu is the best public health tool in the fight against influenza,” said Dr. Bonnie J. Sorensen, director of the Volusia County Health Department. “Those in the high risk groups are encouraged to get vaccinated.”
FOLLOW-UP STORY:
2,000 vaccinated for swine flu at NSB High School
Posted Mon, 2009-11-09 19:45
By HENRY FREDERICK
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Volusia County's third mass H1N1 virus immunization effort drew 2,000 people from the school community Saturday at New Smyrna High School.
The Health Department had as many as 5,000 doses of the vaccine for the virus, commonly known as swine flu, targeted specifically for teachers, students and other school-related personnel.
With another round this Saturday in DeLand and previous mass innoculations since Oct. 24 in Pierson and Ormond Beach, county officials say opportunities for the general public to get vaccinated should happen soon.