Death toll in Alaska up to 5 now as two women die from swine flu

Two more swine flu-related deaths have been reported in Alaska.

Both of them were Fairbanks women who died on Sept. 24. Both reportedly had pre-existing medical conditions, according to a statement from the state Department of Health and Social Services.

The department also announced Tuesday it will no longer issue a notice each time someone dies a flu-related death. An online database will be maintained and updated weekly on Wednesdays, the department said.

That Web site is www.pandemicflu.alaska.gov.

“It was important for us to inform the Alaska public and health care providers of the initial deaths in order to demonstrate that, like seasonal influenza, this 2009 H1N1 influenza can be lethal,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin.

“This message is now clear to Alaskans and it is no longer necessary for us to notify the public of each death.”

Each year, the seasonal flu kills about 35,000 people in the United States, of which roughly 80 are in Alaska, he said. “We have never reported those fatalities in the past.”

Many health care professionals are treating the H1N1 virus as a second seasonal flu. The public is being encouraged to get both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine shot to protect themselves and stem the spread of the virus.

Healthy people can usually treat their illness at home but health officials say they should contact their doctor if symptoms are severe.

McLaughlin said Alaska health care professionals are seeing an unusual number of flu cases for this time of year. Nearly all of the cases are the H1N1 virus.

The seasonal flu vaccine is available now. The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available mid-October.

Related posts:

1. Swine Flu death toll in India is now up to 233 after 13 people died on Friday September 18th A record 13 swine flu deaths, including eight in Maharashtra,...
2. Swine flu kills 6 more people in India today… death toll up to 335 At least six more people died of Swine Flu on...
3. Mississippi reports 8th swine flu death – More than 1,000 cases reported The Mississippi Department of Health confirmed Tuesday that a Jones...
4. Alaska boy dies, tests positive for swine flu ANCHORAGE, Alaska — State health officials have confirmed that a...
5. Death toll in India almost 300 from swine flu New Delhi, September 28 — With the lethal swine flu...