Washington governor warns of more Swine Flu deaths after Everett area man dies
Gov. Chris Gregoire
Vancouver, B.C. – A 30-year-old man from the Everett, Wash. area has died from complications caused by Swine Flu even as Costa Rica became the fourth nation to announce fatalities from the novel virus.
“A Snohomish County man in his 30s with underlying heart conditions died last week with what appears to be complications of swine-origin influenza (H1N1). This is the first death in Washington associated with the new flu strain,” the Washington Department of Health announced. This is the third death in the U.S from the virus that is now infecting people in some 30 countries.
“This death is tragic. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this man’s passing.” said Governor Chris Gregoire. “It’s a sobering reminder that influenza is serious, and can be fatal. I know our public health agencies are doing everything they can to track and monitor this outbreak and to protect the people of our state.”
“While this marks the first death in this state related to swine flu, the case counts are expected to continue rising for some time to come,” he said.
The World Health Organization is reporting more deaths from Swine Flu – this time in Costa Rica – as the virus spreads to 29 countries with over 58 confirmed fatalities, mostly in Mexico.
In Canada, B.C. is leading with 79 cases, with a majority in the Fraser Health Authority region.
There are now 4379 confirmed cases of Swine Flu around the world with the United States leading Mexico in the total cases reported so far. The WHO figures lag the actual cases of Swine Flu because of several factors including the possibility that many may have not gone to hospitals or doctors to be tested and other countries are reporting their own figures ahead of WHO.
“Mexico has reported 1626 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 45 deaths. The United States has reported 2254 laboratory confirmed human cases, including two deaths” WHO said Sunday morning.
“Canada has reported 280 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Costa Rica has reported eight laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death,” the latest briefing said.
The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths – Argentina (1), Australia (1), Austria (1), Brazil (6), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Colombia (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (12), Germany (11), Guatemala (1), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (9), Japan (4), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (7), Panama (3), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (93), Sweden (1), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (39).
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Although many people myself included thought that we were hearing too much about the H1N1 virus, I thinks it’s now evident that it has the potential to become much more serious. It’s not over.
LOL does anyone here know someone who knows someone who has the Swine Flu. Exactly.