State H1N1 death count reaches 19

Jennifer Tangeman

Nov. 6, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- According to state health officials, nine confirmed influenza-related deaths were reported throughout Indiana last week.

The nine deaths bring the state total to 19 since June 1.

The state is releasing no more information on the cases for confidentiality reasons, but Susie Bennett, a public health nurse with the Cass County Health Department, confirmed that none of the deaths had occurred in Cass County.

"We continue to see historic levels of illness and continue to keep track of surveillance," said state epidemiologist Pam Pontones.

Last week's summary states that while the percentage of influenza-like illness reported in emergency rooms is less than the previous week, the rate remains considerably elevated above the seasonal peak experienced during last year's flu season.

"My interpretation is we are obviously at high levels of activity," state health commissioner Judy Monroe said. "We are clearly in a pandemic with the spread of influenza because we are seeing more cases."

The number of H1N1 cases resulting in fatality, though, has been low, even compared to a normal flu season.

Monroe said the state experiences 700 to 800 deaths in one seasonal influenza season of about 16 weeks. The number of deaths per week associated with flu in any given year is 40 to 50.

Monroe and Pontones said it was difficult to predict whether H1N1 cases had peaked due to a decrease in emergency room visits.

"These could be potentially early indicators that we are reaching the end of this peak," Pontones said. "But we need another week or two of data to see if this is a trend or just a blip."

The state health commissioner said even if this first peak for 2009 is ending, the pandemic could worsen in the months to come.

"That's the unknown," Monroe said. "Winter time is the typical peak for influenza, so come January or February, we may see an even steeper peak at that time. That's why we want people to get vaccinated."

The state has received and dispersed about 660,000 doses of the vaccine to date, and health officials say they expect to receive more than 4 million doses this year. Vaccines have been distributed to all 92 counties in the state based on county population.

Monroe said once the 660,000 doses had been used to vaccinate Hoosiers, more than 10 percent of the state's population would have been vaccinated.

Bennett said about 4,500 doses of the vaccine had been distributed to Cass County, with the latest shipment of 400 doses arriving this week.

"We are getting transmissions a couple of times a week now," she said.

Bennett said the health department had several clinics scheduled in the coming weeks, and that the public should look in the newspaper or listen to the radio for details of new clinics.

--Jennifer Tangeman is a reporter for the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5148 or jennifer.tangeman@pharostribune.com.

Cass County H1N1 clinics

The Cass County Health Department will be hosting a clinic Thursday for those aged 25 to 64 with chronic health conditions by appointment only. Appointments can be made by calling the department at 574-753-7760.

They will also be hosting a walk-in clinic from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 for pregnant women. The clinic will be held in the health department on the second floor of Medical Building West at Logansport Memorial Hospital.

School-aged children are receiving the vaccine at school, as the county health department is working to immunize school-aged children at every school in Cass County. The department will be visiting Columbia Elementary today.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0347-39511219