Health department confirms first H1N1 death in Washtenaw County

The first death of a Washtenaw County resident with the H1N1 or swine flu virus was confirmed by county health officials Thursday afternoon.

Despite the news, local officials say there seems to have been a slight drop in flu activity in recent weeks.

Officials would not release any further information, other than to say the person was an adult and did not have any significant underlying medical conditions. In a release, the county said the death occurred earlier this week.

Information is not being released out of respect for the individual's family, said public health spokeswoman Susan Cerniglia.

Illness rates and hospitalizations have remained higher than typical in Washtenaw County, officials said in a release. About 45 lab-confirmed cases of H1N1 flu virus and 12 hospitalizations occurred in Washtenaw County hospitals the week ending Nov. 14. There were about 45 school-aged children per every 1,000 kids out with respiratory illnesses in the week ending Nov. 14.

That is a drop from levels seen earlier this season.

During one week at the end of October, there were close to 90 confirmed cases of the flu and about 70 school-aged children per every 1,000 kids out with respiratory illnesses.

A look at Washtenaw County lab confirmed flu cases and respiratory illness rates in the schools through Nov. 14. (See full-size image [PNG].) Source: Washtenaw County public health department

Both the University of Michigan hospital and St. Joseph Mercy hospital in Ann Arbor said they've seen recent drops in their inpatient volumes as well as emergency room visits from peaks about two weeks ago.

But officials warn it's impossible to know when an infectious illness has truly peaked for the season.

Earlier this week, the Michigan Department of Community Health said there have been more than 40 confirmed deaths in the state since the outbreak began in April. There have been more than 1,350 hospitalizations with flu-like symptoms in the state since April.

The state said flu activity has largely remained similar to what has been experienced in other parts of the country.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates between April and mid-October, there have been an estimated 98,000 hospitalizations with about 3,900 deaths. In comparison, during the course of a typical flu season there are more than 200,000 flu-related hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths.

The next H1N1 flu vaccine clinic is planned for Sunday, Nov. 22 at the Eastern Michigan Convocation Center, 799 N. Hewitt Road, in Ypsilanti.

Vaccine will be available to those who are:
â€¢ Pregnant.
â€¢ Caregivers of children younger than 6 months.
â€¢ Between the ages of 6 months and 24 years of age to get the vaccine.
â€¢ Adults between 25 years and 64 years of age with underlying health conditions that put them at greater risk of having complications from the flu were also eligible.
â€¢ Those health conditions include chronic lung disease, a weakened immune system, cancer, diabetes, kidney or liver disorders, cardiovascular disease and other conditions.
â€¢ Healthcare workers who provide direct patient care.

The clinic will begin distributing wristbands starting at 9 a.m. and will begin distributing vaccine at 10 a.m.

Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.