A 40-year-old Butler County man has died from the H1N1 virus, also known as the Swine Flu.
The Ohio Department of Health says it is the first death in Ohio related to the pandemic strain of the H1N1 virus.
The ODH says the patient from Hamilton, Ohio who died on June 29 had underlying health problems that may have contributed to his death.
His infection was confirmed in a ODH laboratory on Thursday.
The ODH says, "Patient contacts are being identified to determine whether public health interventions are necessary."
ODH Director Alvin D. Jackson, M.D. says, “This is a sad, and not entirely unexpected, event as influenza and its complications cause some 3,000 deaths annually in Ohio, ranking it among the top 10 causes of death. We continue to urge Ohioans to take proper precautions and will monitor the situation closely.”
Over 300 people have died from the virus worldwide according to the World Health Organization. There have been 127 H1N1 related deaths in the United States. Around 3,000 people have been hospitalized related to the virus.
The ODH encourages Ohioans to take the following actions to help stay healthy:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Stay home if you get sick to limit contact with others and the spread of disease.
As of Wednesday, July 1, the ODH was reporting 108 confirmed cases and six probable cases of the virus in Ohio.
You can get more information at the
ODH Web site, or by calling the toll-free H1N1 information line at 1-866-800-1404 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
