Rock County has second swine flu-related death
JANESVILLE — Another Rock County resident died this week from the swine flu, Health Officer Karen Cain said.
She declined to release the gender, age or any other information about the person, citing a request from the family.
It is the second H1N1-related death in Rock County, she said.
"For most people, the 2009 H1N1 flu is not severe, but it can be more serious in certain high-risk populations: those with underlying health conditions," Cain said in a statement. "We continue to recommend that individuals who are at high risk for severe disease from H1N1 influenza get vaccinated to protect themselves against H1N1 when vaccine becomes available."
Swine flu cases are not required to be reported to health officials, so it's not known how prevalent it is, she said. Anecdotally, however, officials know swine flu has spread throughout the community.
Public schools are closed today and Friday for a statewide teacher conference.
"To me, that's good news," Cain said.
Rock County's first swine flu death was reported in early October. It also was the state's first swine flu death since spring. That person had "underlying medical conditions" that contributed to the death, officials said.
On Wednesday, the state Department of Health Services said four more people in the state died from the swine flu, bringing the total to 14 since spring. Department spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis said Wednesday the deaths reported over the last week included one in Eau Claire County, two in Milwaukee County and one in Oconto County.
Since Sept. 1, 70 hospitalizations in Wisconsin have been attributed to H1N1, state health officials said Wednesday.
Vaccination clinics
The health department announced Thursday it has canceled next week's swine flu vaccinations in the Beloit and Parkview school districts because of the vaccine shortage.
Instead, a community swine flu vaccination clinic will be 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Boulevard, Beloit. Vaccinations are free. Health officials are targeting the highest risk people among the high-risk populations for vaccination. Those are pregnant women; children ages 6 months to 2 years; health care and emergency medical providers who have direct contact with patients or infectious materials; parents, siblings and day care providers who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months; and people ages 5 to 18 years who have chronic medical conditions that put them at risk for flu-related complications.
The nasal spray is only available to healthy children ages 2 to 4; healthy people ages 5 to 49 who live with or care for an infant younger than 6 months, and healthy health care workers and emergency medical services personnel up to age 49 who have direct contact with patients or infectious material.
The clinic at the Beloit library will provide the intranasal spray vaccine and hopefully the vaccine injections.
The health department has been flooded with phone calls. Cain said she appreciates callers' patience and recommends trying the flu hotline first at (608) 741-5200.
Nov 2, 2009 at 1:11 p.m.
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spedtke-The swine flu has hit our family and it's horrible. It is not the same as the regular flu. I don't think the 'epidemic' is as bad as the media has made it out to be, but I also do not think it's as innocent as just the regular flu as some say.
Nov 2, 2009 at 8:35 a.m.
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Swine flu is way way way overrated and just intended to frighten. More people die from the vaccination of the regular flu than the flu itself. Be safe, don't get the vaccination and quit living in fear....
Nov 2, 2009 at 6:26 a.m.
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The vaccine came too late. Its already spreading.
Oct 31, 2009 at 5:18 p.m.
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I am sorry this family lost someone to this horrible virus. I pray your hearts can find some peace in your time of tragedy.
Oct 31, 2009 at 5:14 p.m.
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hannah , i thought u were sticking to the story? hmm another pot shot, if im the blog police for asking people to respect the wishes of the family , so be it. to me its being sympathic to the family, saying that the gazette should disable this blog before someone post s information about this family , is my personal opinion, which im entitled to. leaving it open for an phantom poster under an assumed fake name may make them look better because the public then knows. but how can anyone be sure its factual information. what danias posted about this family was a rumor , and i know this for a fact because i know this family .
Oct 31, 2009 at 1:23 p.m.
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SOMEONE SPECIAL....ahmen! It is only a matter of time that our whole entire country becomes one big civil war; it seems almost impossible for anyone to agree on anything. It is sickening. I am so sad for this family. I have had three sick children for over a week now, and myself had been in the hospital for pneumonia, and this is a very scary time for parents. I have been a nervous wreck for over a month concerning my own health and my childrens'. Compassion and respect should certainly be a part of today's epidemics; including staying home when your sick...yes, that means don't even go to the store!! Please.
Oct 31, 2009 at 1:20 p.m.
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"She declined to release the gender, age or any other information about the person, citing a request from the family.""
and it is ILLEGAL!!!!
Oct 31, 2009 at 1:18 p.m.
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gonefishin
Oct 30, 2009 at 10:42 p.m.
Suggest removal etown is the blog police now?
one of MANY.
I dont think names should be released either but I think the unlying illness should be. I pointed this out in the other article and somebody gave a nice list of what underlying illnesses to look out for to protect yourself.
I think diabities was #1
Oct 31, 2009 at 11:44 a.m.
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I think everyone needs to SHUT UP!!!!!! Why does this always have to be a BATTLE GROUND !!! Let's kiss and make up a family is in deep pain here!
Oct 31, 2009 at 11:06 a.m.
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danias, well you also stated it went through your whole family , so why dont you post your name address ,where you work, where your kids attend school so we can all protect ourselves against you and coming into contact with your family? i highly doubt you know this family very or you would be more respectful.
Oct 31, 2009 at 10:21 a.m.
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danias~~if you knew this person, then I would think you would want to respect the family in their time of loss and heartbreak.
Oct 31, 2009 at 9:34 a.m.
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Well etown I to know this person and you are wrong !So get a life I didn't give a name so why dont you grow up!!
Oct 31, 2009 at 8:28 a.m.
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cubfan , where did i say i didnt have concern for people in the community , i too know this family . and danias is just spreading rumors. anyone who was in contact was notified. that s all you need to know. it s not up to some phantom poster to release any information. when this was first reported it wasnt even a confirmed swine flu case but a suspected one. i have not in the last couple of days talked to them so i dont know if they even received confirmation yet. there are hippa laws protecting this family from medical information being released, if they dont want the information released everyone needs to respect that. the reality is the swine flu is in our area , if you truly dont want it lock yourself in your room for the next six months. but just because it s here give s no one the right to violate another person privacy
Oct 31, 2009 at 1:45 a.m.
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Actually, danias I was incorrecnt. I do know who it is and you may be right. Either way, I asked for my comment to be removed as I realized that would bring more comments on the identity etc and it really is the family's right to keep it confidential. Sorry!!
Oct 31, 2009 at 12:47 a.m.
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i sincerely send my condolences to this family,im truly sorry for the loss of your family member.
Oct 31, 2009 at 12:45 a.m.
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And BTW danias has no idea what they're talking about. I know who it was and you are way off base!!!!!
Oct 31, 2009 at 12:42 a.m.
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I have three children how currently have confirmed and tested H1N1. You do NOT need to know who this person is nor the details. H1N1 is EVERYwhere right now. If you left your home today, you came in contact with it. Knowing the identity of this ONE person makes little difference to the general public. If you are that terrified then don't leave your house, wear a mask and get yourself a bubble.
Oct 31, 2009 at 12:23 a.m.
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etown...you must not have too much concern for other people in the community especially school age children who are high risk for the flu. This is a very important news story. Sure hope you stay healtthy during the flu season...NOT!!!!!!
Oct 30, 2009 at 11:14 p.m.
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We had it go through are whole family now its usually a health problem that causes death. The gazette shouldn't even put it in the paper if they don't what to cause problems if you are so upset don't read the online blogs or paper duh.
Oct 30, 2009 at 11:11 p.m.
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wow etown are you on a repeat cycle I didn't give a name and these are the facts so deal with it!
Oct 30, 2009 at 10:55 p.m.
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It's really astonishing how many people will find a dramatic way to paint their being nosy as a public health necessity.
Oct 30, 2009 at 10:42 p.m.
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etown is the blog police now?
Oct 30, 2009 at 10:07 p.m.
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danias that how rumors get started, and for those of you who know the real idenity of this person please respect the families wishes and not release any information. the gazette should just disable the blog before someone does
Oct 30, 2009 at 9:58 p.m.
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A huge number of people in the community have influenza now, so it is really quite irrelevant where this lady lived. If you leave your house for any reason you are exposing yourself. 99% of people recover fully. No need to panic.
Oct 30, 2009 at 9:42 p.m.
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danias thats how rumors begin , and for those of you who know, please respect the families wishes and not release any information. the gazette should just disable the blog before people start putting out personal information
Oct 30, 2009 at 9:21 p.m.
Oct 30, 2009 at 8:23 p.m.
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I can understand the family being upset with the death in the family. but I think there is an obligation from some, weather the health officer or the family giving some information. No names have to be released but I think the age and location should be revealed. This flu situation is very critical and all steps need to be taken to control it.
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