KVOA

Posted: Nov 6, 2009 3:33 PM
Updated: Nov 6, 2009 7:39 PM

CORPUS CHRISTI - The Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District reports they received confirmation today of a local resident who died from the H1N1 (Swine) Flu. The Corpus Christi resident died at a local hospital yesterday, November 5, 2009.

Annette Rodriguez, Interim Director, reports the resident, was between the ages of 30-50, and had been hospitalized for 2 days. The local resident did have other underlying medical conditions.

For confidentially and personal privacy reasons the Health District will not be releasing or confirming any additional identifying information.
The recent death marks the fifth H1N1 death in Nueces County since the revised reporting period began September 1, 2009. The first H1N1 confirmed death in Nueces County was reported in May of this year, with a total of 9 deaths since the spring.

Dr. William Burgin, Jr., Local Health Authority, advises residents to get the H1N1 vaccine as it is being made available. "The vaccine is the best tool we have against the flu," states Dr. Burgin.
The Health District is holding a H1N1 nasal vaccine clinic today and will be holding one tomorrow at Sunrise Mall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. next door to the Burlington Store at the former Oshman's Sports Store. There is no cost for the vaccine. The nasal spray vaccine is only for healthy, non asthmatic persons who are not allergic to eggs. The H1N1 flu vaccination clinic will be limited to these high risk groups:
?Children ages 2 to 18 years
?Household contacts or caretakers of infants 6 months of age or younger
(up to age 49 years of age only for the nasal form)
?Medical first responders
*(Children through 9 years of age must get two doses of the vaccine, around 30 days apart, to acquire immunity.)
The Health District is asking those who come to the clinic to bring their consent forms, their questionnaire completed and signed. Forms will be available at the Sunrise Mall, the Health District lobby or they can be downloaded on our website at www.ccpublichealth.com .
Health officials indicate that based on the demand of the vaccine at today's clinic, the Health District did widen the age group for Saturday's clinic to include children ages 2 to 18 years old.
Residents should follow these standard precautions to reduce the spread of any respiratory illness.
? Practice good hand washing hygiene. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
? Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others, and seek medical attention.
? Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.
? Get your flu shot this year, both the "seasonal flu" and the swine flu vaccines when they become available.