KDHE announces deaths of Kansans infected H1N1

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment today confirmed the deaths of two people who were infected with the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus.

Fourteen people in Kansas have now reportedly died after being infected with H1N1.

The deaths occurred in the following individuals:

· A 72 year-old man from northeast Kansas was confirmed to have pandemic H1N1 on Oct. 29. His death was reported to KDHE on Oct. 30. The man had an underlying health condition, which placed him at greater risk of severe complications of influenza.

· A 53 year-old woman from the Wichita metropolitan area was confirmed to have pandemic H1N1 on Oct. 27, and her death was reported to KDHE on Nov. 2. This woman had an underlying health condition, which placed her at greater risk of severe complications of influenza.

KDHE Secretary Roderick Bremby and Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips, Kansas state health officer, expressed sympathy and offered their deepest condolences to the families involved.

“People with specific underlying health conditions are at especially high risk of serious health problems if they get H1N1 flu,” Phillips said. “While we wait for enough vaccine to become available to protect everyone against this infection, there are still many steps we all can take to reduce its spread.”

Those precautions include:

· Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

· If you become sick, stay home until at least 24 hours after fever or signs of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, in order to avoid spreading illness to co-workers and friends.

· Cough or sneeze into a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues. If you do not have a tissue, cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow and not your hands.

· Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise.