Sarasota County reports fifth H1N1-related death

David Gulliver - posted 2:15 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7

Sarasota County Health Department officials reported on Monday the county's fifth confirmed death from illness related to the H1N1 virus, commonly called swine flu.

The victim was a 39-year-old woman with an underlying medical condition, officials said. As of Dec. 1, Florida had reported 174 deaths related to the virus. Pre-existing conditions, such as respiratory problems, were a factor in about 18 percent of the deaths.

The five fatalities puts Sarasota on a par with other similar counties, like Lee and Brevard, which both have reported five deaths. Dade County leads the state with 32 deaths related to H1N1, followed by Duval (13), Hillsborough (12), and Broward, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas with 11 each.