Local man dies of swine flu
State: Victim is first Ohio death linked to pandemic strain
July 2, 2009, 1:17 p.m.
STAFF REPORT
The Ohio Department of Health has announced that a Butler County man in his 40s who was infected with H1N1 influenza - also known as swine flu - died Monday (June 29).
The state said this is the first Ohio death linked to the pandemic strain of influenza.
The patient had underlying health problems that may have contributed to his death, the state health department indicated.
The H1N1 infection was confirmed at the state health laboratory Thursday. The state refused to provide further details about the victim to protect confidentiality.
Patient contacts are being identified to determine whether public health interventions are necessary.
"Our hearts go out to this man's family and loved ones," said state health director Alvin D. Jackson in a statement. "This is a sad, and not entirely unexpected, event as influenza and its complications cause some 3,000 deaths annually in Ohio, ranking it among the top 10 causes of death. We continue to urge Ohioans to take proper precautions and will monitor the situation closely."
There have been 332 H1N1 deaths worldwide, including 127 in the United States, according to the World Health Organization.
As of Wednesday, the state health department was reporting 108 confirmed and six probable H1N1 cases to date.