Second child dies from H1N1 complications

A 12-year-old boy from Buffalo Grove has died from probable H1N1 flu, the fifth Lake County resident and the second child to die as a result of the disease.

The boy had multiple underlying chronic conditions that increased his vulnerability to the virus, according to the Lake County Health Department. He was hospitalized and died on Nov. 5.

“We are particularly saddened that this is the second H1N1-related death of a child in Lake County in a very short time frame,” said Helath Department Executive Director Irene Pierce.

“Children with underlying health conditions are especially vulnerable to this illness, and thus they are among our highest priority groups to receive the vaccine. We continue to remind everyone to take steps to prevent the flu, such as covering your cough, washing your hands frequently and staying home if you are sick.”

Since April of 2009, the Lake County Health Department reports 61 hospitalizations associated with H1N1 and five deaths. The prior deaths include a 15-year-old female resident of Lake County, a 74-year-old male in Gurnee, a 41-year-old female in Gurnee, and an 80-year-old female in Long Grove.

As of Nov. 6, the Illinois Department of Public Health reports 1,003 hospitalizations and 36 deaths related to H1N1 influenza in the state. Influenza activity continues to increase nationally, statewide and locally. However, at this time the severity of illness does not appear to have increased.

The Lake County Health Department says it received its second shipment of 15,000 H1N1 vaccine doses yesterday.

No details have been released as to when or where the vaccine will be distributed.

The Lake County Health Department received its first shipment of H1N1 vaccine on October 26, which it distributed through five walk-in clinics. For updates on vaccine supply in Lake County, please visit the Health Department’s web site at: www.lakecountyil.gov/health. Residents are encouraged to access reliable sources for flu information and updates, including:

http://www.lakecountyil.gov/Health/H1N1.htm

http://www.flu.gov/

http://ready.illinois.gov

The Health Department’s H1N1 hotline number is: (847) 377-8350.