Oconto County (WFRV) – Oconto County health officials say a second person has died from H1N1.
The health department will not release any more information about who the victim is.
Read the entire press release below:
The Oconto County Public Health Department reports the second H1N1 influenza related death in Oconto County.
The Oconto County Public Health Department is not releasing any more information about the deceased at the request of the family.
“The staff of the Oconto County Public Health Department would like to extend our sympathies to the family for their loss,” said Deb Konitzer, Oconto County Health Officer.
Wisconsin has seen a modest decrease in H1N1 influenza activity across the state, but H1N1 is not going away. Influenza activity is still much higher than normal for this time of year.
“Public vaccination clinics will be essential as we target those most at risk of serious health complications from H1N1 influenza,” said Konitzer. “Three weeks ago, there was very little vaccine available to anyone. Today there are public vaccination clinics scheduled across the state and thousands of high risk patients can also receive the vaccine at their doctors office. That is a very positive development.”
The Oconto County Public Health Department will hold a targeted H1N1 vaccination walk in clinic at the Bond Community Center in Oconto on Wednesday, November 18, from 4pm-6pm. Those in the target groups are encouraged to attend to receive their H1N1 vaccine free of charge.
Target groups include pregnant women, all children 6 months-4 years of age, primary caregivers and household contacts of children less than 6 months of age, children ages 5-18 with a chronic medical condition and health care workers with direct patient contact. Also eligible for vaccination at this clinic are adults ages 19-64 with chronic medical conditions.
Those in the vaccination target groups are at high risk from complications of influenza, and should call their doctor as soon as influenza symptoms begin.
It’s also possible for healthy people to develop severe illness from influenza, and individuals should seek medical care right away if they experience any of these emergency warning signs:
(cont)
In children:
• high or prolonged fever
• fast breathing or trouble breathing
• bluish skin color
• not drinking enough fluids
• changes in mental state such as not waking up or interacting
• being so cranky that they don’t want to be held
• seizures
• flu-like symptoms get better but then return with fever and worse cough
In adults:
• high or prolonged fever
• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• pain or pressure in the chest
• near-fainting or fainting
• confusion
• severe or persistent vomiting
For more information about H1N1 influenza, please visit pandemic.wisconsin.gov and www.co.oconto.wi.us, call 2-1-1, the Oconto County Public Health Department at 920-834-7000 or contact your health care provider.
