First swine flu death in Sonoma County

<p>An elderly man with pre-existing medical conditions has become Sonoma County’s first probable swine flu fatality, Dr. Mary Maddux-González, county health officer, announced Friday.</p><p>The man died Friday at a local hospital, Maddux-González said in a statement. No other information about the patient was provided.</p><p>The case was determined to be a probable H1N1 influenza based on laboratory testing Thursday at the Sonoma County Public Health lab, authorities said.</p><p>“We are saddened by the death of a member of our community and our thoughts and sympathies go out to his family and friends,” Maddux-González said. “His death is a reminder that even though most of the H1N1 cased on Sonoma County and the state have been mild or moderate, all flu viruses can be deadly and everyone should remain vigilant in helping to prevent the spread of H1N1 and seasonal flu.”</p><p>Seasonal flu causes approximately 38,000 deaths and 220,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. each year. So far this year, there have been at least eight deaths from swine flu in California and at least 87 deaths across the United States.</p><p>Sonoma County public health officials over the past week said there has been an increase in the number of H1N1 cases in the county. Maddux-González said more cases should be expected now that the virus has become well established.</p><p>H1N1 spreads the same as seasonal flu, officials said, mainly through coughing or sneezing by infected people.</p><p>The symptoms also are similar to regular seasonal flu, including fever and in most cases a cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and tiredness. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting.</p>