Sarasota Health News

Second Sarasota County swine flu death confirmed

David Gulliver - updated and modified 10:45 am Friday, July 17; originally posted 3:37 pm Thursday, July 16

The Sarasota County Health Department confirmed the county's second fatality from swine flu, a 47-year-old man. Officials said the man had no chronic health conditions that contributed to his death. He had been treated at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

On Thursday, officials announced the county's first confirmed fatal swine flu case, a 22-year-old man who died at Tampa General Hospital.

Officials said there is no connection between the two cases, and that people should stay calm but take precautions.

Almost all flu cases right now are the H1N1 swine flu, or its variants. But the flu is less prevalent than during the traditional winter flu season.

“What we’re seeing in Florida as a whole is influenza is moving toward the levels we see during the flu season,” county epidemiologist Scott Pritchard said. “In Sarasota, we’re seeing less activity. It is not approaching the peak of our flu season.”

Flu cases probably are under-reported, he said, and confirmation takes time. County health departments track reports from doctors, hospitals and other care providers, and coordinate with them to send samples to state Department of Health labs. Sarasota samples go to the DOH lab in Tampa, and it usually takes at least 48 hours for testing to establish the diagnosis.

Most swine flu cases are mild. Florida has reported some 1,784 cases and now 14 confirmed deaths, the state Health Department reported. That translates to eight fatal cases out of every 1,000 diagnoses.

Sarasota County has eight confirmed cases and the single fatality. Pritchard said no one should infer a fatality rate from such a small number of cases.

“People don’t need to panic but they do need to be aware and take precautions,” he said. “We know this will continue to spread. It’s most important to seek care if you need it.”

Precautions include avoiding contact with sick people, washing your hands or using alcohol-based cleaners and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. If you get sick, stay home. And if you run a fever of 100 degrees or more, with a sore throat and possibly diarrhea and vomiting, see a doctor.

The most vulnerable population is young children. Testing has shown that adults may have some immunities because of previous flu exposure.





	Second Sarasota County swine flu death confirmed David Gulliver - updated and modified 10:45 am Friday, July 17; originally posted 3:37 pm Thursday, July 16 The Sarasota County Health Department confirmed the county's second fatality from swine flu, a 47-year-old man. Officials said the man had no chronic health conditions that contributed to his death. He had been treated at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. On Thursday, officials announced the county's first confirmed fatal swine flu case, a 22-year-old man who died at Tampa General Hospital. Officials said there is no connection between the two cases, and that people should stay calm but take precautions. Almost all flu cases right now are the H1N1 swine flu, or its variants. But the flu is less prevalent than during the traditional winter flu season. “What we’re seeing in Florida as a whole is influenza is moving toward the levels we see during the flu season,” county epidemiologist Scott Pritchard said. “In Sarasota, we’re seeing less activity. It is not approaching the peak of our flu season.” Flu cases probably are under-reported, he said, and confirmation takes time. County health departments track reports from doctors, hospitals and other care providers, and coordinate with them to send samples to state Department of Health labs. Sarasota samples go to the DOH lab in Tampa, and it usually takes at least 48 hours for testing to establish the diagnosis. Most swine flu cases are mild. Florida has reported some 1,784 cases and now 14 confirmed deaths, the state Health Department reported. That translates to eight fatal cases out of every 1,000 diagnoses. Sarasota County has eight confirmed cases and the single fatality. Pritchard said no one should infer a fatality rate from such a small number of cases. “People don’t need to panic but they do need to be aware and take precautions,” he said. “We know this will continue to spread. It’s most important to seek care if you need it.” Precautions include avoiding contact with sick people, washing your hands or using alcohol-based cleaners and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. If you get sick, stay home. And if you run a fever of 100 degrees or more, with a sore throat and possibly diarrhea and vomiting, see a doctor. The most vulnerable population is young children. Testing has shown that adults may have some immunities because of previous flu exposure.