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Health officials confirmed Fairbanks boy died of swine flu ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP and KINY) — State public health officials report that the 10-year old Fairbanks boy who died Friday tested positive for the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. Lab specimens were analyzed at the state public health lab in Anchorage. A confirmation of H1N1 virus was determined late Saturday night. A school nurse sent him home around noon Thursday and the child was admitted to the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital overnight. After not responding well to treatment, the boy, who has not been identified, was transported to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage and was pronounced dead late in the evening on Friday. The boy was a student of Hunter Elementary School in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. Acting state Public Health Director Deborah Erickson says that "although most people who get H1N1 flu have a mild illness and quick recovery, this death is a sobering reminder that it can be a serious illness." Dr. Beth Funk, an epidemiologist for the state, says there were no known underlying illnesses suffered by the boy. A check with the Centers for Disease Control indicates that such a rapid deterioration is unusual, but not unheard of. A second Fairbanks student was transported to Anchorage with swine flu like symptoms, but was recovering at Providence Hospital at last report. The child was of grade school age. The name of the school was not disclosed. There was no known connection between the two cases. Fairbanks school officials say they are being vigilant in guarding against the spread of swine flu, but there are no plans to close any schools. An 11 month old child died last week at an Anchorage hospital, but Dr. Funk says there were underlying factors and they don't know yet what role the flu may have played in the baby's death. They're still investigating. Health department officials say there are more than 400 confirmed cases of swine flu in Alaska. Friday's death is the second in Alaska as a result of H1N1 flu. H1N1 vaccine may arrive in Alaska first part of next month State officials anticipate receiving around 35,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine sometime during the first or second week of October. But Laurel Wood, the Immunization Program Manager in the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services said that's really not confirmed yet. She said during Sunday's press availability that it will all depend on what's available nationally. At that point, it will be decided to gets the vaccine. The priority groups identified by the Centers for Disease Control include children and young adults who are six months through 24 years old; people with underlying medical conditions who are under the age of 65; pregnant women; and health care workers and emergency medical services personnel. Texas paratrooper killed in Afghan action WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says a 34-year-old Army officer killed in an attack in Afghanistan was a Dallas man. A Pentagon statement says 2nd Lt. Darryn D. Andrews died Friday when his vehicle came under attack from rocket-propelled grenade fire and an improvised bomb. The paratrooper was assigned to 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska. The attack happened in the Paktia province along the Afghan-Pakistani border south of the Afghan capital of Kabul. Post a comment in response: |
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