June 16, 2009

First Confirmed H1N1 Influenza A Virus-Related Death in Nassau County

Nassau County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Maria Torroella Carney is announcing the County’s first death in a woman with confirmed H1N1 Influenza A virus who recently gave birth.

The woman, between the ages of 20 and 30, was admitted to the hospital on June 5th with fever and respiratory symptoms and was confirmed with H1N1 Influenza A virus on June 15th by the New York State Department of Health’s Wadsworth Laboratory.

She delivered a healthy baby by caesarian section on June 5th and on June 7th was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit where she died today. An autopsy will be performed by the Nassau County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Pregnant women are a known high-risk group for both seasonal and H1N1 Influenza A virus.

Until further information is available, the same groups at increased risk of seasonal influenza-related complications are considered to be at increased risk for H1N1 Influenza A virus-related complications. These high risk groups include:

• Children <5 years.

• Persons with the following underlying medical conditions:

-Chronic pulmonary disease, including asthma;

-Chronic cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, or hepatic disease;

- Hematological disorders, including sickle cell disease;

- Metabolic disorders, including diabetes;

- Neurologic or neuromuscular disorders that increase the risk for aspiration or

   compromise the handling of respiratory secretions; or

- Immunosuppression, including that caused by medications or by HIV.

• Persons <19 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or Kawasaki disease.

• Pregnant women.

• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.

• Adults ≥65 years (the classification of this group as high risk for H1N1 Influenza A virus-related complications may be subject to change based on accumulating epidemiologic information).

Nassau County Health Commissioner Dr. Maria Torroella Carney advises individuals, including pregnant women, to protect themselves and prevent the spread of illness by doing the following:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

To date, Nassau County has 74 confirmed cases of H1N1 Influenza A virus including this individual.