Upswing in serious H1N1 cases alarming DeSoto County girl is most recent death By Tom Charlier Posted January 26, 2010 at 2:13 p.m. , updated January 26, 2010 at 11:15 p.m. A recent uptick in the number of serious swine flu cases -- including one that resulted in the death of a 14-year-old DeSoto County girl -- has prompted local health officials to renew their calls for residents to get vaccinated against the H1N1 virus.
Although the total number of swine flu cases remains low compared to levels in early fall, the percentage of flu victims requiring intensive-care treatment has risen substantially, said Dr. Keith English, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center.
Seven of the 18 patients (39 percent) who have been admitted to Le Bonheur so far this month for likely H1N1 infection have wound up in ICU. Previously, fewer than 14 percent of the flu patients had been needing intensive care.
Le Bonheur officials this week confirmed that the 14-year-old DeSoto girl died from H1N1 complications. Hospital spokeswoman Anne Glankler, citing privacy regulations, said the victim's name and other details would not be made public.
The girl was a student in the DeSoto County school system. But Patsy Davis, a nurse with the system, said the family requested that no information about her be released.
The girl was the fourth child to die with swine flu at Le Bonheur since August.
English, who also is a professor of pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, said the recent cases underscore the need for residents to receive the vaccine. Although the spread of H1N1 tapered off after surging in August and September, he said, "we might be seeing the start of another wave" of infections.
The vaccine is available for free at Health Department clinics throughout Shelby County. Free immunizations also are being provided at Walmart stores in Memphis and across the county through the end of February.
Dr. Helen Morrow, chief medical officer with the Health Department, said that although it's the time of year when the seasonal flu usually becomes prevalent, "H1N1 still seems to be the predominant strain that's circulating out there."
-- Tom Charlier: 529-2572 http://www.commercialappeal.com/news...ine-flu-virus/
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