Child's Death is Illinois' 8th From Swine Flu
By KRISTIN NEHLS
Updated 5:37 AM CST, Thu, Jun 18, 2009
The death of one child and two adults brings Illinois’ H1N1 death total to eight.
An 8-year-old resident of Oak Forest died after contracting the virus, commonly known as the swine flu. Two Chicagoans died last week, according to Chicago Department of Public Health spokesman Tim Hadac.
A 26-year-old woman died after being hospitalized for a week, and a 52-year-old man died 12 days after being admitted to a hospital.
Neither adult had other known health problems at the time of their death.
Unlike seasonal influenza, the swine flu virus has not yet tapered off.
"While we expect to see more confirmed cases and even more deaths from the virus, you can reduce your risk of becoming infected and prevent spreading it to others by covering your cough, cleaning your hands and containing your germs by staying home when ill," the chief operating officer of the Cook County Department of Public Health, Stephen A. Martin Jr., told the Southtown Star,
Confirmed swine flu cases in Illinois have reached nearly 2,000 in 22 counties.
First Published: Jun 17, 2009 3:07 PM CST
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