First Virgina Swine Flu Death (23 Deaths In The U.S. In 23 Days)

RICHMOND — State health officials confirm a woman in Chesapeake has died and “swine flu” was likely a factor in her death.

The woman’s name wasn’t released, but officials say she was a resident at the Southeastern Virginia Training Center.

It’s the first death associated with the H1N1 virus.

“We are deeply saddened by this death and offer our condolences to the family,” said State Health Commissioner Karen Remley, M.D., MBA. “The impact of this death is not lessened by the fact that the patient had preexisting medical conditions that increased the risk of complications from influenza.”

The Cheapeake health department worked closely with the center, officials said, to protect residents and staff.

Officials say all high-risk contacts of this case have been appropriately treated.

There were four confirmed cases of swine flu at The Southeastern Virginia Training Center, Chesapeake Health Director Dr. Nancy Welch told 13News. One of those cases is the woman who died.  A second person remains hospitalized; two others are recovering.

The Training Center is one of 16 facilities operated by the state’s Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services.

Gov. Tim Kaine was saddened by the news.

“The news today that the Commonwealth has witnessed its first death associated with the H1N1 influenza virus is a sad and sharp reminder that Virginians must remain vigilant against the spread of this potentially fatal illness. My heart goes out to the family and friends of the young woman who passed away this afternoon in Chesapeake,” he said.

http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/stories/wvec_local_060209_ches_death_swine_flu.40bb4d77.html

States*		Deaths
Alabama		0 deaths
Alaska		0 deaths
Arkansas		0 deaths
Arizona		4 deaths
California		2 deaths
Colorado		0 deaths
Connecticut		0 deaths
Delaware		0 deaths
Florida		0 deaths
Georgia		0 deaths
Hawaii		0 deaths
Idaho		0 deaths
Illinois		3 deaths
Indiana		0 deaths
Iowa		0 deaths
Kansas		0 deaths
Kentucky**		0 deaths
Louisiana		0 deaths
Maine		0 deaths
Maryland		0 deaths
Massachusetts		0 deaths
Michigan		0 deaths
Minnesota		0 deaths
Mississippi		0 deaths
Missouri		1 death
Montana		0 deaths
Nebraska		0 deaths
Nevada		0 deaths
New Hampshire		0 deaths
New Jersey		0 deaths
New Mexico		0 deaths
New York		5 deaths
North Carolina		0 deaths
North Dakota		0 deaths
Ohio		0 deaths
Oklahoma		0 deaths
Oregon		0 deaths
Pennsylvania		0 deaths
Rhode Island		0 deaths
South Carolina		0 deaths
South Dakota		0 deaths
Tennessee		0 deaths
Texas		5 deaths
Utah		1 death
Vermont		0 deaths
Virginia		1 deaths
Washington		1 death
Washington, D.C.		0 deaths
West Virginia		0 deaths
Wisconsin		0 deaths
Wyoming		0 deaths
TOTAL*(51)		23 deaths