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A 44-year-old St. Louis County man died Tuesday from medical complications after coming down with a severe case of the flu caused by the 2009 H1N1 virus, or what is commonly known as the swine flu.
According to a statement issued by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the unidentified man is the first Missouri resident and the eighth person in the nation to die after becoming ill with the swine-flu virus. An autopsy is scheduled to determine a definitive cause of death.
The H1N1 virus, which has sickened more than 5,000 people nationwide, has been confirmed in 20 patients in Missouri. In each of the other Missouri cases, the flu symptoms have been relatively mild, according to the MDHSS.
Reportedly, the St. Louis County man traveled last month to Mexico, where the virus emerged. Health authorities said he returned on April 27 and became ill a week later. The man went to an urgent treatment center on May 9 and was admitted to a hospital the same day.
Swine flu has been more virulent in Mexico than in the United States. The World Health Organization reports that Mexico has attributed at least 72 deaths to the new flu virus.
The deceased man’s family members have been contacted and given anti-viral medication. In addition, all medical personnel who treated the man have received anti-viral medication. Such medications are most effective if taken within 48 hours of the patient becoming sick.
“Our deepest condolences go out to this man’s family and his friends,” said Margaret Donnelly, director of the MDHSS. “We are working hard to determine why this case of flu became so much more severe than other cases in Missouri.”
Staff members from MDHSS and the St. Louis County Health Department are continuing to investigate the case to determine whether any underlying medical condition could have contributed to the man’s death.
Also, state and county health officials are working closely on the investigation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A 44-year-old St. Louis County man died Tuesday from medical complications after coming down with a severe case of the flu caused by the 2009 H1N1 virus, or what is commonly known as the swine flu.
According to a statement issued by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the unidentified man is the first Missouri resident and the eighth person in the nation to die after becoming ill with the swine-flu virus. An autopsy is scheduled to determine a definitive cause of death.
The H1N1 virus, which has sickened more than 5,000 people nationwide, has been confirmed in 20 patients in Missouri. In each of the other Missouri cases, the flu symptoms have been relatively mild, according to the MDHSS.
Reportedly, the St. Louis County man traveled last month to Mexico, where the virus emerged. Health authorities said he returned on April 27 and became ill a week later. The man went to an urgent treatment center on May 9 and was admitted to a hospital the same day.
Swine flu has been more virulent in Mexico than in the United States. The World Health Organization reports that Mexico has attributed at least 72 deaths to the new flu virus.
The deceased man’s family members have been contacted and given anti-viral medication. In addition, all medical personnel who treated the man have received anti-viral medication. Such medications are most effective if taken within 48 hours of the patient becoming sick.
“Our deepest condolences go out to this man’s family and his friends,” said Margaret Donnelly, director of the MDHSS. “We are working hard to determine why this case of flu became so much more severe than other cases in Missouri.”
Staff members from MDHSS and the St. Louis County Health Department are continuing to investigate the case to determine whether any underlying medical condition could have contributed to the man’s death.
Also, state and county health officials are working closely on the investigation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
