Local pregnant woman, unborn child succumb to H1N1
By Alyssa Morin
Easyreadernews.com
February 27, 2014
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed Thursday afternoon that an unnamed pregnant woman from the South Bay and her unborn child died of influenza A (H1N1). It has not been released in which of the beach cities the woman resided.
“This sad event demonstrates that serious complications can occur with flu infection in pregnant women,” said Jonathan E. Fielding, Director of the CDPH. “Therefore, it is critical that all pregnant and postpartum women get vaccinated to protect themselves against the flu.”
As of today, in LA County, a total of 52 confirmed deaths due to influenza among men, women and children has been reported this flu season. More than 200 flu-related deaths have been reported in California. The Department of Public Health has said that this is the third pregnant women who died from the flu statewide this season, although it was not released where those other women lived.
“We recommend that everyone, six months of age or older, receive either the influenza shot or the nasal spray vaccine,” Fielding said. “And everyone should practice basic hygiene, such as hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes, to prevent the spread of influenza and other respiratory diseases.”
The flu poses greatest threat to at-risk populations like children, the elderly, pregnant and postpartum women and those with chronic disease.
The Rest…HERE
