Vicki L. Duey, Executive Director of the Four Corners Health Department announced that a Seward County woman is the first death attributed to H1N1 in the Four Corners District. The woman was in the 50-64 year old age range, was hospitalized the week prior and died during the first week of November.  She did have preexisting health conditions.
 
 “We at Four Corners Health Department extend our deepest sympathies to the family and community,” said Vicki.  “Unfortunately we know that H1N1 influenza like seasonal flu can sometimes lead to serious health complications.”
 
We are continuing to distribute the H1N1 vaccine as it becomes available.   It remains important that people practice good health hygiene habits like washing your hands, covering your cough and definitely staying home from work and school if you are ill with flu-like symptoms.   
 
“Testing at the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory confirms that the H1N1 virus continues to be the main flu strain circulating,” Vicki said. Most who become ill from the flu recover without seeking treatment.
 
Vaccine continues to come into the community. Target groups for the H1N1 vaccine are:

• Pregnant women
• Children from six months to 24 years of age
• People who live with or care for children younger than six months of age
• People between the ages of 25 and 64 with chronic health conditions
• Health-care and emergency services personnel