The following is a news release issued by the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department:

MEMPHIS AND SHELBY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES H1N1 DEATH

MEMPHIS, Tenn. " The Memphis and Shelby County Health Department received confirmation today of the death of a child as a result of H1N1 influenza. The child became ill last week and died today at a local hospital. Health professionals are determining if any underlying medical conditions may have contributed to his death.

Kenneth S. Robinson, M.D., Shelby County Health Officer, announced that this is the first known death in Shelby County as a result of H1N1 influenza.

At this particularly difficult time, we want to convey our sincere condolences to the family of this child, Robinson said.
While we realize that most individuals may only experience a mild illness, this death is a somber reminder that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications and about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes each year, he added.

Symptoms of H1N1 influenza " which are similar to the seasonal flu " include fever, muscle aches and either a cough, sore throat or runny nose. Headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur. Most people who are ill will recover and do not require specific testing or treatment. But, Robinson noted that this childs death reflects what weve seen around the world. H1N1 is disproportionately impacting young people, compared to seasonal flu.

The Health Department is receiving many reports of flu-like illness from individuals, schools, physicians, and employers throughout Shelby County.

Due to the likely magnitude of the spread of the virus, the Health Department expects to see a continued increase in influenza-like illness due to the H1N1 strain in the next several weeks, according to Yvonne Madlock, Director of the Health Department. Following CDC guidelines, our plans are being aggressively implemented to help prevent the spread of H1N1 in our county.

Young children, pregnant women, and people who suffer from chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease are priority groups to receive the H1N1 vaccine due to an increased risk of complications from the flu. The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in October. However, infants less than six months of age are particularly vulnerable because they are too young to receive flu vaccines, so individuals who care for them are also a priority group to receive the vaccine.

We are still early in the flu season; and we know that many adults and children will become ill prior to the availability of the H1N1 vaccine, and that the H1N1 virus is likely to be with us well into next summer. Given that, we want to encourage everyone to continue practicing social distancing and good hygiene in order to minimize exposure, Robinson said.

Memphis and Shelby County Health Department Announces H1N1 Death

The Health Department is encouraging people to take the following preventive precautions:

* Get the regular seasonal flu shot available now at all Health Department-operated public health clinics and most retail pharmacies.


* Avoid close contact with people who are sick.


* Cover coughs and sneezes using the crook of your elbow or tissue.


* Wash hands often with warm, soapy water and especially after coughing or sneezing. If water and soap is unavailable, use an alcohol-based sanitizer.


* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.


* Adults and children should stay at home if they have symptoms of fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 Celsius or greater) and respiratory symptoms including cough, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, body aches, vomiting or diarrhea. People who are sick should not return to school or work until 24 hours after they are free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.


* Parents should seek medical care from their childs doctor if they are experiencing a fever and respiratory symptoms. However, if the child experiences symptoms including trouble breathing, bluish skin color, not drinking enough fluids, irritability, fever with a rash or flu-like symptoms improve and then return with a fever and a worse cough, then parents should seek emergency assistance.


For more information about H1N1, go to www.flu.gov call your local health department.Memphis Child Dies from H1N1 Flu