Tulsa World: Six in state die from swine flu

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Six in state die from swine flu
Among the deaths last week were three from Tulsa County.

Vials of H1N1 vaccine are stored in a refrigerator at the Tulsa City-County Health Department. SHERRY BROWN/Tulsa World

By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer
Published: 10/23/2009 2:25 AM
Last Modified: 10/23/2009 5:34 PM

Correction
A map with this story incorrectly reported in some editions the number of recent deaths in Tulsa County. Three deaths in Tulsa County were reported during the week ending Oct. 17. The story’s headline also incorrectly reported in some editions the number of recent state deaths. Six recent deaths have been reported in the state. The map and story have been corrected.

Five Oklahomans died from the swine flu virus last week, including three Tulsa County residents, according to the state's latest report out Thursday.

The state's official tally of 11 deaths doesn't include that of an Ardmore child, which was reported by the Carter County Health Department on Thursday.

Also not included in the official count was a man who died from the novel H1N1 virus before a new reporting system began Sept. 1.

Two of those deaths in Tulsa County were children, including an infant under 6 months old, said state epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley.

"This is why one of the priority groups for the vaccine are parents and household members of children under 6 months of age," Bradley said. But production problems are slowing the supply of H1N1 vaccine that is being distributed throughout the U.S.

"When the vaccine is available, parents of children under 6 months of age should seek it out and they will be prioritized to receive it," Bradley said. "We were very disappointed to only get 37,000 doses this

week."

But she urged Oklahomans to be patient as manufacturers work to get vaccine across the country.

Three of Oklahoma's five deaths reported this week were among Tulsa County residents, with one each in LeFlore and Noble counties.

Two of the five deaths were in adults between ages 25 and 49 and one was a patient over 65, the health department said.

Bradley said two Oklahoma deaths have come as a result of a secondary infection, such as pneumonia. The swine flu virus weakened the patient's immunity system, allowing another infection such as pneumonia to take hold, she said.

One of the emergency warning signs is when a patient appears to have recovered from the flu, but symptoms return. Bradley said these patients should seek immediate medical attention because it could cause death quickly.

Last week, 181 Oklahomans were hospitalized, bringing the total to 504 since Sept. 1. About 61 percent of those hospitalized have been in children under age 19. Twenty of the 58 patients admitted to the intensive-care unit were children.

"Age can be a risk factor. A young child's immune system is not as strong," said Laurence Burnsed, chief of the state Health Department's communicable disease division.

The Tulsa World previously reported the deaths of 16-year-old LaTowyn Gaston and 4-year-old Geato McCarty, both of Tulsa. McCarty's death was one of those included in the state's most recent tally. And a Kay County man died earlier this year, before the official reporting began Sept. 1.

ER visits are up

"Overall, we continue to have record-breaking numbers of children coming into the ER. Every month, it tends to be more than the previous month," said Dr. Ethan Warlick, director of the pediatric emergency department at St. Francis Hospital.

Up to half of the children are coming in because of flu-like symptoms, he said.

"Our numbers for this time of year compared to last year at this time have dramatically increased," Warlick said.

Most children are experiencing a "typical flu," with fever, sore throat, cough and other symptoms, he said. There are few treatment options for most kids other than rest and hydration, he said.

"For the vast majority, it's still symptomatic care," he said. Tamiflu is prescribed only for children who have underlying medical conditions that make them more susceptible to complications or death from the disease, Warlick said.

Area schools

Broken Arrow Public Schools have seen an improvement in its absentee rate over the last two weeks, but it is still above the typical rate of 5 percent, said spokesman Keith Isbell. The increase can be attributed to the flu, he said.

At Sand Springs, about 250 students at the Central Fine Arts Academy received vaccinations against the swine flu Thursday, according to School Superintendent Lonetta Sprague.

The vaccines were provided by the Tulsa City-County Health Department, and the academy was the second school in the city to receive the vaccine.

On Oct. 7, about 100 students at the Limestone Elementary School were given swine-flu vaccines.

That school, in the Prattville side of the city, suffered a large outbreak of the illness three weeks ago, with as many as 82 of its students reporting absent from school. Limestone has an enrollment of 280.

As of Thursday, Sprague said absenteeism had returned to normal levels.

At nearby Sapulpa, more than 700 vaccinations administered to all students last week seems to have provided the district with an unexpected dividend, said School Superintendent Mary Webb.

Webb noted that absenteeism now is below normal for a flu season, and she credited the vaccinations by the Creek County Health Department for that slight drop in absenteeism.

An estimated 450 doses of the H1N1 vaccine for swine flu were administered to Sapulpa students last week, along with 275 doses of vaccine for the normal seasonal flu.

Bixby Superintendent Kyle Wood said that absentee rates are still normal among students and teachers, but they are beginning to get reports of flu-like symptoms among those calling in sick.

Bixby will offer seasonal flu shots to students on Dec. 2-4, but they don't know when or to what degree they will be able to offer the H1N1 vaccine, Wood said.

Owasso schools are reporting no excessive absences because of seasonal flu.

In the Skiatook school district, absenteeism is running at about 5 percent daily, with half of those absentees reporting flu-like symptoms, Superintendent Dr. Gary Johnson said.

Absenteeism has been cut in half over the past couple of weeks at Claremore schools, falling to the normal rate of 5 percent for this time of year, school spokeswoman Audrey Webber said.

By the numbers: The deadly impact of H1N1

13 Oklahomans have died from the virus in 2009

5 Oklahomans died during the week ending Oct. 17

3 Tulsa County residents died during the week ending Oct. 17

4 Oklahoma children have died from H1N1

86 children in the U.S. have died from H1N1

11,770 vaccine doses received by local health department

Source: Oklahoma and Tulsa health departments

When to seek medical attention

The time to seek medical help for a child with flu is when the child is dehydrated, experiences chest pain or has trouble breathing or respiratory distress, said Dr. Ethan Warlick, director of the pediatric emergency department at St. Francis Hospital.

Warlick emphasized that fever isn’t something to fear.

“That’s the body’s natural response to fighting this off. As long as you keep your child well-hydrated, this is typical. The fever itself does not impart any severity of illness,” he said.

The concern is when it is coupled with breathing difficulties, chest pain and dehydration, Warlick said.

“Fever doesn’t mean they’re sicker. It just means they have the flu,” he said.

World staff writers Manny Gamallo, Rhett Morgan and Susan Hylton contributed to this story.

Kim Archer 581-8315
kim.archer@tulsaworld.com By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "State swine flu deaths climb to 12," which was published on 10/22/2009.

	Report Comment FYI, (10/22/2009 1:02:40 PM) Where can we get the freakin' vaccine!?!??!
	Report Comment NE Oklahoma Girl, NE Oklahoma (10/22/2009 1:07:41 PM) Check with your local health department. I know ours has it, and we're in the middle of nowhere.
	Report Comment Jc214, Tulsa (10/22/2009 1:27:55 PM) I dont care what the news say!Im not taking that vaccine!
	Report Comment Jay of Tulsa, (10/22/2009 1:48:47 PM) I just got over it...lots of fluids and rest... don't need the vaccine..3 days was all I was out..
	Report Comment HONES, T-Town (10/22/2009 2:09:06 PM) Handwashing and good vitamins are essential in fighting any cold/flu. It hasn't been proven that Vit C will do it for you but a good multivitamin is good defense. If you stay hydrated before you get the flu, chances are you'll get over it easier. Prevention is the best medicine.
	Report Comment machinist, (10/22/2009 2:28:01 PM) I guess McIntosh county can't get any vaccine because nobody is dead here yet. All of the counties around us have gotten vaccine, but not us. Do you have to go to your own county health dept. or can you go to one in another county?
	Report Comment NE Oklahoma Girl, NE Oklahoma (10/22/2009 3:10:45 PM) machinist, you might just check with them and find out. Delaware county didn't ask a thing about what county I was from, not sure yet if they'll make me verify when I get there.
	Report Comment PAN, (10/23/2009 4:59:46 AM) My granddaughter attends the Tulsa Public School where the young child died a few weeks ago from H1N1, (may God Bless that family) yet these vaccines have not gotten to that school after so many children were exposed. Vaccines were sent to Sand Springs and other schools where no deaths have occurred. This makes no sense UNLESS TPS did not request vaccine (IF it has to be requested), which would not surprise me. I am ANGRY about this - angry at our federal government, the Tulsa Health Dept. for desserting literally EVERYONE and Tulsa Public Schools for ignoring the health of the children! I understand that there is a shortage of vaccine because there is only ONE pharmaceutical company in the United States who makes this vaccine, while the other 3 or 4 are in FOREIGN COUNTRIES. That info I acquired by listening to Ms. Sebellious (or however you spell it) and Ms. Napolitano stating it on C-Span. WHY, when this vaccine was beginning to be manufactured at the ONE company in the U.S., (which IS actually foreign-owned per the C-Span airing) is this vaccine not available after both of the women above have stated SEVERAL TIMES that it would be available and there would be enough for everyone in the country to have a vaccine by October 1? WHY is there only ONE company in this country that can produce this vaccine? As of Wednesday, those women were saying 'there has been a delay' and that it POSSIBLY might be that there will be more vaccine by November 1. If the delays continue, the outbreak will have killed even more people and the first outbreak will be over by the time anyone can even get the vaccine. More young people and little children will have died!! If there IS a second outbreak, which those women alluded to, will anyone HERE have gotten access to any vaccine? I seriously doubt it at this point! Also, I understand that this country's medical-care professionals are experiencing a shortage of masks which are to be changed each time a patient is seen. Here again - a TOTAL failure of our government regarding the citizens of this country! When Mexico had their outbreak of H1N1 early in the year, WE sent equipment to them, including these masks. Here again - there is ONE company in this country who produces these masks and that company is working around the clock to provide them, but cannot produce enough. The other companies who make them, OF COURSE, are in foreign countries. Now, WHY didn't THIS government begin to prepare for an outbreak when Mexico had the outbreak? This government took care of the needs of a foreign country and has TOTALLY IGNORED it's own citizens. This government has failed the people of this country. Totally failed everyone. God forbid if we ever have a terrorist attack again or any other catastrophic event. We are ALL going to be up that old familiar creek except the powers that because you can bet your 'you know what' that THEY will be protected and taken care of and to dickens with the citizens who pay their salaries! I heard Congressman John Boehner basically state that this country is going to become a banana republic (not exact words) and HE IS EXACTLY RIGHT! How about trying it the 'old way' - you know, making things in THIS country like we use to do and not depending on foreigners, most of who hate us, to produce medicine, medical supplies, food, etc. which we cannot even trust to be safe?
	Report Comment Slatz, Tulsa (10/23/2009 7:44:38 AM) On the news this morning, they announced that at this time, the plan was to have something like 120 million vaccines ready, but they only have 16 million ready now for the entire U.S.
	Report Comment justiceawaits, Claremore (10/23/2009 8:12:38 AM) There is plenty of vaccine. The drug companies are just holding it back to drive the price up.
	Report Comment Jay of Tulsa, (10/23/2009 8:34:41 AM) Pan...if you are going to wait around for the government to take care of your needs...you are in for a rude awakening.
	Report Comment QLC, (10/23/2009 8:54:17 AM) HOw many died from smoking cigarettes in the same period?
	Report Comment my view, Sand Springs (10/23/2009 9:01:34 AM) Three of my grandchildren were diagnosed with the Swine Flu, all recovered, we were lucky. It seems that 'Jay of Tulsa' is right it last about three days. Pan, Limestone school in Sand Springs had over 60 percent of it's students out with the flu. For that reason the first vacines were sent there.
	Report Comment forkandknife, Tulsa (10/23/2009 9:12:56 AM) ) :
	Report Comment Barleybaby, Tulsa (10/23/2009 11:21:41 AM) Just to point out another brain child of HHS Kathleen Sebelius. She has stated that after 40 million doses have been produced WE will donate 10 percent of our doses to other countries despite the fact that our own needs are only 1/3 fulfilled. Yipee for wisdom of government!
	Report Comment Thunder196, Tulsa (10/23/2009 11:25:24 AM) Barleybaby Our government does not understand the statement: "Charity begins at home".
	Report Comment Norm, (10/23/2009 12:24:02 PM) There are fewer and fewer vaccines produced in this country every year. The reason? Our government has been sold to the trial lawyers lobby (don't worry - BOTH parties are to blame). Congress refuses to even CONSIDER any kind of tort reform. This allows any nutjob with a theory to go on Oprah (she really IS the anti-christ, ya know?) - and spout their nonsense. Now - since Oprah said it, it MUST be "so" according to millions of people. Now - everyone who has any kind of reaction, goes before a jury (tainted by Oprah's BS) and gets MILLIONS in compensation. Add that to the ridiculous FDA approval process, and it's just not feasible to make vaccines here. Reign in the trial lawyers - and EVERYONE will benefit. ps: I'm not a big fan of vaccinations anyway. Get sick, get over it - never get it again.
	Report Comment FYI, (10/23/2009 1:04:06 PM) I'm back to asking if anyone has found any vaccine? The Tulsa Health Dept. claims all they have left is being reserved for the Tulsa Public School children, and thus, we cannot come there to get a shot. I have a child that attends a private school in west Tulsa, and they have not yet been offered anything. I was also told by a co-worker that they took their asthmatic (sp?) child in to the Tulsa Health Dept. a few days ago and they were giving out the shot willy-nilly. So she ended up getting the shot as well as her husband, and yet they are not really in the high risk group. SO there again, the government (local or otherwise) can't even follow it's own rules, and now is out of the vaccine unless you attend TPS! Ridiculous!!
	Report Comment Jinxed, CA (10/23/2009 2:32:23 PM) PARENTS - keep your sick kids HOME from school!! It is NOT fair to other children to send your kids to school sick. How will you feel if your sick snotty coughing feverish little germ caused a fellow classmate to die? It is selfish and irresponsible to send them to school sick. And.... just because you dose them up on drugs and send them to school doesn't mean they aren't contagious. Besides, those drugs wear off in hours and you have a kid disrupting the class with their horrific cough, or fever that spikes, puking, etc. etc. Practice just a little common courtesy and keep them HOME!
	Report Comment FYI, (10/23/2009 2:37:59 PM) Jinxed - I agree with you 100%. However I've heard (in the media) that the individual can be infected and infectious for a period of 24 hours before a fever or other symptoms appear.
	Report Comment Cooldaddy, Broken Arrow (10/23/2009 2:57:47 PM) I'm confused. Here we have what we think is a worldwide swine flu epidemic. Whatever happened to the bird flu? I remember just months ago reading everywhere about a panic with the bird flu and all of a sudden no one's writing about it. Now it's just swine H1N1. I smell a rat!
	Report Comment TumblingDice, Tulsa (10/23/2009 3:18:48 PM) ^ Could be Rat Flu Cooldaddy.
	Report Comment tulsan09, Tulsa (10/23/2009 7:02:12 PM) PAN sounds like a raving lunatic. Why do you expect your SCHOOL to provide the vaccine for your grandchild? Everyone wants the schools to provide free supplies, free uniforms, free breakfast, free lunch, now free healthcare. Take your granddaughter to the doctor or to the health department and let the schools teach. You sure have "heard" or "understood" a lot of things. I wonder what your source is--probably the media. Why do so many people scream about the media being so liberal and incompetent, etc., but then you believe everything you see and hear.
	Report Comment PAN, (10/24/2009 1:56:12 AM) Jay of Tulsa - Believe me, I am NOT waiting around for the government or ANYONE ELSE to take care of my needs. I have done quite well with that myself for 61 years. And NO I don't expect anyone to provide anything for my grandchildren, either, as we are MORE than able to provide for them. What I AM saying is that this country has NOT prepared the way it should have and SAID it HAD PREPARED for this outbreak. As I said we are MORE than able to provide, but how in the HELL do you provide a vaccination that IS NOT AVAILABLE?? Answer THAT QUESTION! Money is NO object, but availability of the vaccine IS THE OBJECT here. BTW - we provide ALL school uniforms and everything else PLUS donate much, MUCH more than many people do. All we would like to have is the vaccine to be available for PURCHASE or any other way so we can vaccinate our family and would like to know that EVERYONE has the vaccine available to them. This government has NOT done that!
	Report Comment PAN, (10/24/2009 5:10:30 AM) tulsan09: What you say I have 'heard' came STRAIGHT OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF MS. SEBELIOUS AND MS. NAPOLITANO. I SAW their mouths move when they said it and I HEARD what they said and I DO have it recorded. Maybe you should WATCH and LISTEN to the ACTUAL people when they are talking. I am not going on heresay or gossip. NO - I do not pay any attention to the news; not local, national or world news. HOW do you get a vaccine when the Health Dept., the schools, the doctors, etc. do not have it?

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