KDHE Confirms 22nd H1N1-Related Death in Kansas

December 10, 2009

by John Boyd (WICHITA, Kan.)

KDHE says a 72 year-old woman from the Wichita metropolitan area has died from infection with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The woman's death brings the total number of confirmed H1N1-related deaths in Kansas to 22.

KDHE says the woman's infection was confirmed in late November and after her death was reported to KDHE on December 8th. The woman had underlying health conditions that placed her at greater risk for severe complications of influenza.

"About 75 percent of Kansans remain susceptible to the 2009 H1N1 flu virus, and deaths resulting from this virus are still occurring," said Dr. Eberhart-Phillips, Kansas State Health Officer. "These facts should be all the encouragement anyone needs to take precautions and get vaccinated."

KDHE says it is important to note that the number of deaths confirmed to be caused by pandemic H1N1 influenza under-represents the true number of deaths. The great majority of all influenza or pneumonia-related deaths that occur (pneumonia is the most common severe complication of influenza) do not have a confirmatory lab result associated with them. For more information on mortality due to influenza-like illness in Kansas, please review KDHE's Epidemiology and Surveillance Weekly Status Report available at http://www.kdheks.gov/H1N1/H1N1_Epi_Reports.htm.

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