H1N1 claims first Vt. victim 800 doses of vaccine thrown away after refrigerator malfunction

Neal Goswami

Oct. 29, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- BENNINGTON -- Swine flu has caused its first death in Vermont, according to state health officials, who also reported Wednesday the loss of 800 doses of flu vaccine.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Patsy Kelso told reporters that an adult with serious underlying health conditions has died from the H1N1 flu virus. Officials do not plan to release additional details about that victim or future victims.

'Sad marker'

"This is a very sad marker in our experience with the H1N1 influenza," she said.

However, Kelso said officials have expected that the virus would cause death in Vermont. "It is something we knew we would experience at some point in time. We anticipate we will experience more," Kelso said. "It is not at all unexpected, and it should not make people worry more."

According to Kelso, 800 doses of the H1N1 vaccine were lost over the weekend when a refrigerator malfunctioned and became too cold for vaccine storage.

"This loss was extremely concerning to all of us at the Health Department, but unfortunately, is a known risk in the vaccine world," she said. "It's one of these situations where we don't take any chances."

The malfunction took place at one of the Health Department's 12 regional offices, but the office was not identified. Those offices are now moving vaccine to where they can be monitored at all hours.

Several school clinics have been delayed because of a shortage of vaccine. Kelso said the

loss of 800 doses has impacted when some school children will receive the vaccination. "It certainly could be two or three good sized school clinics that could be impacted," she said.

Some school clinics have been postponed because the state does not have enough of the vaccine. Health Commissioner Dr. Wendy Davis said health officials are working closely with schools to reschedule clinics as soon as possible.

"We know how hard it is to wait for vaccines, and we continue to do our very best to get it out as soon as possible," she said.

Vaccine will continue to be allocated when available based on population, according to Davis.

Health officials have seen a "dramatic increase" in flu illness across the state, Kelso said. The state's health laboratory has confirmed cases in all regions, and the state Health Department is reporting widespread illness to the Centers for Disease Control, she said.

A syndromic surveillance program run by the Health Department called the Early Aberration Reporting System indicates that hospital visits are up significantly for respiratory illness. Southwestern Vermont Medical Center is on of seven hospitals that report data to the state.

School children and college students are missing school in large numbers, Kelso said. Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, which closed last Thursday and Friday because of widespread illness, remains the only school to take that step, she said. That decision will remain with school officials.

The virus continues to cause only mild illness in most people. Kelso said most who become ill with the H1N1 virus will likely be sick for a few days or a week, but will not need to see their health care provider or go to the hospital.

According to statistics provided by The New York State Department of Health for all of New York outside of New York City, one adult death associated with H1N1 occurred last week. There have been 5 adult deaths associated with this flu since Sept. 1, and 26 since April 24. For the entire state of New York, since April 24 there have been 10 deaths associated with H1N1 in those aged birth to 17, but all of these occurred before Sept. 1.

Contact Neal P. Goswami at ngoswami@benningtonbanner.com

On the Web: www.healthvermont.gov; www.health.state.ny.us

Newstex ID: KRTB-0480-39257061