MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU – The state Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed novel H1N1 influenza infection in an adult male who died July 10 at Queen’s Medical Center.

He was in his late 40’s and also had underlying medical conditions. The Oahu resident is the second death in Hawai‘i associated with the new flu strain and one of more than 200 reported nationwide over the past few months.

No further information about the patient’s medical condition before death or identification will be released due to patient privacy considerations and federal law.

“In this most recent case, influenza infection led to the complications that were ultimately the cause of death, and the patient’s underlying conditions likely exacerbated the situation,” said Dr. Sarah Park, chief of the Disease Outbreak Control Division and State Epidemiologist.

Cases of novel H1N1 influenza have been identified on the islands of O‘ahu, Maui, Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i, and Moloka‘i with the majority of cases confirmed on O‘ahu, where the majority of the state’s population resides. The DOH has recently seen a rise in influenza-like illness rates and has issued guidance to summer camp administrators on ways to prevent the spread of illness. The guidance is posted at www.hawaii.gov/health.

The DOH has confirmed more than 1,000 cases of novel H1N1 since May 5 to July 10, 2009. Of these cases, all but four have recovered or are recovering at home with no complications. One adult resident was hospitalized on O‘ahu in June and has since recovered; one adult that resides on Maui became ill after traveling to Washington state in May, was hospitalized and recovered in Washington before returning home; and two deaths occurred on O‘ahu as a result of complications from flu.

As with any influenza, the public is reminded to take the following steps to prevent spreading illness to others:

• Stay at home when you are sick; isolate yourself from others whenever possible
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and dispose of used tissue
• Wash your hands frequently, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitize
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mout
• Seek care if you have influenza-like illness (fever > 100°F plus cough or sore throat); and
• Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, and getting plenty of rest and exercise.