4 More Flu Deaths in Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Department of Health announced three more Minnesotans have died from H1N1 influenza. A resident in Hennepin who was in their 50’s died from H1N1 along with someone from Fillmore County who was in their 20’s and Winona County resident in their 70’s. Health officials say it’s likely a fourth victim also died from an undisclosed area of the state.

The Department of Health says lab results were not available to confirm H1N1 was present. “That person did have underlying conditions. It’s extremely likely it’s H1N1 because 99 percent of influenza is H1N1,” says Dr. Ruth Lynfield, state epidemiologist.

Health officials are seeing some signs H1N1 is not affecting as many people. 137 schools reported outbreaks last week compared to 288 schools statewide the weeks before. “We certainly do have a number of indicators that influenza like activity throughout the state is going down but we like to see 2 weeks worth of data to know for sure,” says Lynfield.

For the first time two adult care facilities have reported H1N1 outbreaks.

The Department of Health is working to make vaccines more widely available. Those most at risk and children under the age of four continue to take first priority to get the vaccine. Health Officials say there are currently 460,000 H1N1 vaccines ordered and tricking into the state. John Stine, assistant commissioner for Health Protection, says he hopes to make the H1N1 vaccine available to children 9 year old and younger sometime in the next four to six weeks. “ I’m not making a promise. We will have al the vaccine but we are cautiously optimistic,” says Stine. “Over the course of the coming months there will be vaccine for everyone who wants it.” Stine says school based clinics could start as early as November 16.

Parents and grandparents we talked to like the idea of a school based clinic. “I think that is a good way for parents who are busy and have full time jobs don't have to take extra time to get it done,” says Beth Ndong. Ndong is a grandmother and says H1N1 is frequent topic in her family.

The Department of Health points out the Minnesota Flu hotline is available to people with questions. The wait time for a nurse to call back with an answer to questions is currently about 2 hours.

More information is available at: Minnesota FluLine 1-866-259-4655 or www.health.state.mn.us