FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE             Connecticut Department of Public Health

June 11, 2009                                           Contact: William Gerrish

                                                                  (860) 509-7270

Hartford – The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced the state’s second death linked to infection with the novel H1N1 virus.  The person, a New Haven County resident, was in the 5-10 year old age group and had underlying medical conditions that increased the risk for serious illness from influenza.  The child did not attend school this year.  The child died recently after hospitalization.

“There is no greater loss than the death of a child, and our deepest sympathies go out to this child’s parents and family,” stated DPH Commissioner Dr. J. Robert Galvin.  “Though the cases of H1N1 flu in Connecticut have largely been mild, this death underscores the seriousness of influenza and the devastating impact it can have.” 

The department has confirmed a total of 637 cases of H1N1 flu in the state.  Laboratory-confirmed cases represent only a fraction of the likely number of cases in the state because many persons with mild symptoms do not seek care from a doctor or hospital but recover at home.  Nine patients are known to have been hospitalized with illness related to the novel H1N1 virus.  Two patients, including the person announced today have died.  The other patients have recovered. 

“Illness from H1N1 influenza continues to occur in Connecticut, with most people experiencing only mild illness,” stated Dr. Galvin.  “It is not unexpected, however, that the infections have caused serious illness, including death.”  Dr. Galvin noted that every year, approximately 36,000 people die due to seasonal influenza in the United States. 

State health officials also noted that today’s announcement by the World Health Organization to raise the pandemic threat level on the novel H1N1 virus was expected and does not change what state and local health department’s have been doing in Connecticut to prepare for and respond to H1N1 flu.  Health officials also noted that the WHO pandemic phase designation is based on geographic spread of the influenza virus, not on the severity of the illness. 

For a list of towns with confirmed cases, please visit www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch.  DPH will update novel H1N1 flu statistics to this website on a weekly basis.  New case totals will be posted every Wednesday on the CT Flu Watch website at www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch.  This reporting schedule will allow the department to aggregate reports from the Public Health Laboratory with reports received from private laboratories.  This reporting schedule is also consistent with the weekly reporting of novel H1N1 cases by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

DPH continues to ask residents to take precautions to prevent getting the flu or spreading it by staying home from work or school if they are sick, washing their hands frequently, and coughing or sneezing into their sleeve or a tissue.

For more information on novel H1N1 flu:

• Connecticut Flu Watch: www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch/swineflu
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
• Call 211

The Connecticut Department of Public Health is the state’s leader in public health policy and advocacy with a mission to protect and promote the health and safety of the people of our state.  To contact the department, please visit its website at www.ct.gov/dph or call (860) 509-7270.

###