A Mount Prospect man, 29, and Westerns Spring woman, 29, both with underlying health conditions, were reported to be the most recent deaths in Illinois from complications of the H1N1 virus.
On June 17, 2009 the Cook County Department of Public Health reported that an 8 year-old boy from Oak Forest, Illinois died from complications related to H1N1.
The recent deaths bring the total number of swine flu deaths to four in suburban Cook County and 10 in Illinois. The first death in Illinois related to the H1N1 virus was a Chicago resident the weekend of May 23-24, 2009.
As of a June 12, 2009 report by the Illinois Department of Public Health, Cook County has recorded 623 confirmed cases and three probable cases. Chicago has been reported 866 confirmed cases and one probable case.
People with existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, as well as pregnant women, are at higher risk of developing complications if they contract the H1N1 virus.
Typically, seasonal influenza activity has tapered at this point in the year. However, transmission of the
H1N1 virus appears to be on-going. Most individuals infected with H1N1 have reported mild symptoms
similar to those of seasonal influenza such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches with several
reporting diarrhea and vomiting.
Individuals experiencing influenza-like symptoms should stay home for seven days after symptoms begin
or until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer to prevent spreading the infection
to others.
Individuals who are at a higher risk of serious flu-related complications include pregnant women, children
younger than 5-years-old, people with chronic medical conditions and people 65-years and older. Examples
of chronic medical conditions include diabetes, asthma, heart disease and lung disease. Individuals with
underlying conditions should contact their physician at the onset of illness and not wait for severe illness.
For more information about H1N1 influenza, please visit cookcountypublichealth.org or call 708-
492-2000.
See also …
idph.state.il.us/swine_flu/index.htm