2009 Swine flu deaths in United States – media reports
Prologue Mexico – the 1st death on April 13, 2009
“May 1, 2009—When Maria Adela Gutierrez died just weeks ago, her illness was a mystery. Now, experts have uncovered clues as to how she became Mexico’s first fatality in the 2009 swine flu outbreak.
© 2009 National Geographic (AP)
Unedited Transcript
Mexicos first confirmed death from the H1N1 strain of influenza, known commonly as swine flu, happened more than a week before doctors confirmed her ailment.
The 39-year-old door-to-door tax inspector was hospitalized with acute respiratory problems.
Maria Adela Gutierrez had symptoms much like this woman now in the hospital, but doctors couldnt figure what was wrong with her. She arrived gasping for air her hands and feet blue from oxygen-starved blood.
They administered antibiotics, but she only got worse. They put her on a ventilator, and sent test samples to a lab.
On her third day, test results indicated coronavirus.
SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Jesus Manuel Salcedo Cruz, Gen. Director, Hospital Gral. Dr. Aurelio Valdivieso: “Her evolution from day 9 to day 10, and the lab tests that were done, showed that it was not a typical case, as with other pneumonias contracted in the area. She presented altered liver enzyme function and low leukocytes, which implies a different type of problem.”
A day later Gutierrez died. And it was days later before her illness was identified as a mutated swine flu virus. “ http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090501-mexico-firstdeath-video-ap.html
‘REGULAR FLU” March, 2009: 4 children in MA: “Officials say a 12-year-old girl from Worcester County died on Sunday from complications from the flu. She is the only child among those who recently died who did get the flu shot this year.
According to the MDPH, the girl had no underlying health problems.
Just two days earlier on March 14, a 15-year-old Newton boy died from influenza-related pneumonia.
These two cases are the latest in a series of flu-related deaths among children.
The first confirmed pediatric death associated with the flu involved a 6-year-old child from Suffolk County. The child, who died on March 2, suffered from a number of health problems that officials believe contributed to complications from the flu.
The second flu death happened on March 1, but was just recently reported to the DPH. This case involved a 14-year-old child from Middlesex County, who also had health problems that officials believe contributed to complications from the flu. “ http://wbztv.com/local/flu.season.emergency.2.678871.html
1 RULED OUT/1 UNCONFIRMED April 28, 2009: CA “The Los Angeles County coroner’s office said today that further testing indicated neither of two flu-related deaths being investigated in Los Angeles County appeared to be linked to the swine flu. (more…)
