The Lee County Health Department has received notification of its fifth swine flu-related death, 11-year-old girl with pre-existing conditions.
“We offer our sincere condolences to this child’s family and friends for their loss” said Judith A. Hartner, M.D., M.P.H., M.P.A., director of the Lee County Health Department, in a prepared statement.
“While most cases of H1N1 Swine Flu are mild, there are exceptions. This is why the Lee County Health Department urges our community to get vaccinations against H1N1, a virus to which we have no immunity” said Hartner.
H1N1 can lead to severe sickness, and even death in some cases. Even young, healthy people can suffer serious consequences when infected. As of Oct. 31, 149 deaths have been reported in Florida.
To combat the spread of H1N1, the Lee County Health Department has been offering vaccine to CDC priority groups in an effort to keep families healthy. These vaccinations are being held at area high schools through Nov. 21.
To get clinic information, log onto the Lee County Health Department Web site at www.LeeCHD.com . Always remember before departing for any clinic site, to verify the date and time as the schedule is subject to change based on availability of vaccine.

EVERYONE should eventually be vaccinated, but those in high-risk categories will be given the first supplies of the vaccine. They include:
– Children and young adults age 6 months through 24 years
– Pregnant women
– People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months old
– Health care workers and emergency medical services personnel
– People age 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza

For more information on influenza activity there are a number of resources available such as the Florida Department of Health toll-free number which provides public health information and updates on H1N1 swine flu. The information line is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT, seven days a week. Information is available in English, Spanish and Creole. The Florida Flu Information Line is 1-877-352-3581.

For web-based information please visit any of the following Web sites:
Lee County Health Department, www.LeeCHD.com
Florida Department of Health, www.doh.state.fl.us/DEMO/php/FluInfo.htm
My Safe Florida, www.myflusafety.com
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
The World Health Organization, (WHO), http://www.who.int/en/
Flu.gov, http://www.flu.gov/