H1N1 Related Deaths In N.M. This Year: 26
First published in The Independent newspaper, Edgewood, N.M., Nov. 4, 2009.
By Scott Albright 11/05/2009
Albuquerque - The New Mexico Department of Health announced on Wednesday five more H1N1 related deaths throughout the state. So far there have been 26 deaths related to H1N1 in the state.
Health Secretary Alfredo Vigil said in a press release regarding the death of an 11-year-old Albuquerque boy that the “tragedy should remind every New Mexican that influenza can cause serious complications and even death,” and that everyone should follow “prevention guidelines to minimize the spread of the disease.”
The health department has ordered 186,760 doses of nasal and injectable H1N1 vaccines, of which 60,400 are slated for Bernalillo County. Vaccines are arriving in small amounts and are being distributed to providers and public health offices statewide. Visit www.nmhealth.org to find a public health office.
Chris Minnick, spokesperson for the health department, recommends residents call their health care provider or public health office to find out when the vaccines will become available.
Minnick said the department does not track the delivery of the vaccine to providers and that people should “be patient” when waiting to get vaccinated.
The state hopes to receive a total of 1.2 million doses by the end of January.
Minnick said providers are being advised to treat high risk groups with the vaccine first. Those at higher risk for complications from H1N1 are pregnant women, household members and caretakers of infants less than six months old, children six to 59 months of age, children five to 18 years with certain chronic health conditions that increase their risk of complications from flu, and healthcare workers and emergency medical service personnel with direct patient care.
The department of health recommends people who experience typical, mild flu symptoms who are not at higher risk for complications stay home and avoid public places until they are well. Mild symptoms include fever, sore throat and cough.
People who experience typical, mild flu symptoms that are at higher risk for complications should call their health provider for consideration for treatment. People at higher risk for H1N1 related complications are children younger than two years of age, adults 65 years of age and older, people with chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorder, immunosuppression, including that caused by medications or by HIV, pregnant women and women up to two weeks postpartum, persons younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.
People who develop severe symptoms of influenza should seek care immediately from the emergency room. Severe symptoms include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, dehydration, or decreased responsiveness.
The health department requests people with flu concerns who are well not go to the emergency room and call one of the following influenza hotlines:
New Mexico Vaccine and Influenza Hotline: 1-866-681-5872.
Spanish Language Influenza Hotline: 1-800-784-0394.
NM DOH Health Alert Hotline: 1-866-850-5893.
Nurse Advice New Mexico: 1-877-725-2552.
Online resources include:
www.nmhealth.org/H1N1
www.nmivc.or/cliniclist.php
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu
www.flu.gov
Health Secretary Alfredo Vigil said in a press release regarding the death of an 11-year-old Albuquerque boy that the “tragedy should remind every New Mexican that influenza can cause serious complications and even death,” and that everyone should follow “prevention guidelines to minimize the spread of the disease.”
The health department has ordered 186,760 doses of nasal and injectable H1N1 vaccines, of which 60,400 are slated for Bernalillo County. Vaccines are arriving in small amounts and are being distributed to providers and public health offices statewide. Visit www.nmhealth.org to find a public health office.
Chris Minnick, spokesperson for the health department, recommends residents call their health care provider or public health office to find out when the vaccines will become available.
Minnick said the department does not track the delivery of the vaccine to providers and that people should “be patient” when waiting to get vaccinated.
The state hopes to receive a total of 1.2 million doses by the end of January.
Minnick said providers are being advised to treat high risk groups with the vaccine first. Those at higher risk for complications from H1N1 are pregnant women, household members and caretakers of infants less than six months old, children six to 59 months of age, children five to 18 years with certain chronic health conditions that increase their risk of complications from flu, and healthcare workers and emergency medical service personnel with direct patient care.
The department of health recommends people who experience typical, mild flu symptoms who are not at higher risk for complications stay home and avoid public places until they are well. Mild symptoms include fever, sore throat and cough.
People who experience typical, mild flu symptoms that are at higher risk for complications should call their health provider for consideration for treatment. People at higher risk for H1N1 related complications are children younger than two years of age, adults 65 years of age and older, people with chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorder, immunosuppression, including that caused by medications or by HIV, pregnant women and women up to two weeks postpartum, persons younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.
People who develop severe symptoms of influenza should seek care immediately from the emergency room. Severe symptoms include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, dehydration, or decreased responsiveness.
The health department requests people with flu concerns who are well not go to the emergency room and call one of the following influenza hotlines:
New Mexico Vaccine and Influenza Hotline: 1-866-681-5872.
Spanish Language Influenza Hotline: 1-800-784-0394.
NM DOH Health Alert Hotline: 1-866-850-5893.
Nurse Advice New Mexico: 1-877-725-2552.
Online resources include:
www.nmhealth.org/H1N1
www.nmivc.or/cliniclist.php
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu
www.flu.gov