First Oklahoma H1N1 Flu Death Reported

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A 43-year-old Kay County man has died in Oklahoma's first fatal case of the H1N1 virus, the State Health Department reported Monday.

The man had sought medical care for his flu symptoms but had not been hospitalized. He also had underlying chronic medical conditions, including asthma, state health officials said.

"We are very sad to learn of this death and our sympathies go out to this man's family," said Interim Commissioner of Health Rocky McElvany.

Currently, 109 cases have been confirmed in the state, while one Oklahoman living out of state has also been confirmed with the disease.

"While those who have acquired the novel H1N1 influenza A virus have generally reported only mild illness, because this is a new flu virus, most people have little or no immunity against it, and the illness may be more severe for some," McElvany said. "Tragically, regular seasonal influenza results in some 36,000 deaths occurring nationally each year. Thus, it is not a surprise that Oklahoma has recorded its first death from the new flu."

Nationally, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 13,217 cases and 27 deaths attributed to the H1N1 flu.

At this time there is no vaccine to protect against the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus.