An online list of H1N1 deaths lists one for Val Verde County, but state health officials have been unable to provide additional details about the case.
According to the Department of State Health Services Web site, the death was reported prior to Oct. 10. The site also lists two hospitalizations related to the virus, more commonly known as swine flu.
The site also notes there have been 13 deaths attributed to H1N1 in Region 8, which spans 28 counties, including Val Verde. The bulk of those deaths were reported in Bexar County, in which San Antonio is located.
Region 8 Medical Director Dr. Sandra Guerra said Friday afternoon no additional information about the Val Verde case, including age, gender or date of death, was immediately available.
Guerra said the death does not change the way the virus is being handled by health officials locally. Earlier in the month Guerra explained that public health agencies no longer track individual cases.
When H1N1 first appeared in April, Guerra said it was important to track cases so public health officials would know what they were dealing with, but once the virus reached pandemic levels, tracking stopped.
And, public school districts are no longer being asked by the state to report cases of H1N1, even to parents.
“Since H1N1 is so widespread across Texas and our region, schools are asked to not send home notices of H1N1 cases or suspected flu cases in a classroom or school,” said Guerra in early September during a conference call with school district officials within the region. Districts are asked to provide a report to the state if the virus creates absenteeism high enough to cancel events.
The only cases local health officials are required to report are those involving hospitalized patients, especially those in intensive care units, deaths related to H1N1 and any unusual presentation of the illness.
Because symptoms and treatment of H1N1 and the seasonal flu are nearly identical, Guerra said hospitals are not longer testing for the virus, which can be costly.
She said Friday vaccines for the virus are trickling into communities, but large supplies likely would not be available until mid-to-late November.
And while some primary doctors in the area have the vaccine available, Guerra said the initial doses are being primarily administered to those most at risk, namely children under five and pregnant women.
“Once the high risk groups have been vaccinated, we can focus on the general population,” said Guerra.
In the meantime, Guerra said to continue practicing good health and hygene habits to help avoid contracting the virus.
According to the Department of State Health Services Web site, the death was reported prior to Oct. 10. The site also lists two hospitalizations related to the virus, more commonly known as swine flu.
The site also notes there have been 13 deaths attributed to H1N1 in Region 8, which spans 28 counties, including Val Verde. The bulk of those deaths were reported in Bexar County, in which San Antonio is located.
Region 8 Medical Director Dr. Sandra Guerra said Friday afternoon no additional information about the Val Verde case, including age, gender or date of death, was immediately available.
Guerra said the death does not change the way the virus is being handled by health officials locally. Earlier in the month Guerra explained that public health agencies no longer track individual cases.
When H1N1 first appeared in April, Guerra said it was important to track cases so public health officials would know what they were dealing with, but once the virus reached pandemic levels, tracking stopped.
And, public school districts are no longer being asked by the state to report cases of H1N1, even to parents.
“Since H1N1 is so widespread across Texas and our region, schools are asked to not send home notices of H1N1 cases or suspected flu cases in a classroom or school,” said Guerra in early September during a conference call with school district officials within the region. Districts are asked to provide a report to the state if the virus creates absenteeism high enough to cancel events.
The only cases local health officials are required to report are those involving hospitalized patients, especially those in intensive care units, deaths related to H1N1 and any unusual presentation of the illness.
Because symptoms and treatment of H1N1 and the seasonal flu are nearly identical, Guerra said hospitals are not longer testing for the virus, which can be costly.
She said Friday vaccines for the virus are trickling into communities, but large supplies likely would not be available until mid-to-late November.
And while some primary doctors in the area have the vaccine available, Guerra said the initial doses are being primarily administered to those most at risk, namely children under five and pregnant women.
“Once the high risk groups have been vaccinated, we can focus on the general population,” said Guerra.
In the meantime, Guerra said to continue practicing good health and hygene habits to help avoid contracting the virus.
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