Flu virus kills third county resident

A third Lake County resident has died from complications due to the H1N1 flu virus.

The Lake County Health Department said Friday that an 80-year-old woman from Long Grove who had other "significant" medical conditions that increased her vulnerability to the virus was hospitalized and died Wednesday.

"Unfortunately, this is the second death of a Lake County resident within one week and is yet another difficult reminder of the potential for serious influenza illness," said Irene Pierce, the department's executive director. "We will continue working with our community partners to educate the public on prevention control and other illness prevention issues."

Since April, the Health Department has reported 48 hospitalizations associated with H1N1 and three deaths. The prior two deaths were Gurnee residents.

As of Friday, the Illinois Department of Public Health reports 731 hospitalizations and 28 deaths related to H1N1 influenza in the state, noting influenza activity continues to increase nationally, statewide and locally. However, the severity of illness does not appear to have increased, officials say.

Lake County received its first shipment of H1N1 vaccine on Monday, but it was significantly less than the amount ordered. The first shipment was exhausted in less than two days following shot clinics Thursday and Friday.