The Lake County Health Department reports a 12-year-old boy from Buffalo Grove has died from probable H1N1 influenza. The child had multiple underlying chronic conditions that increased his vulnerability to the virus, officials said. He was hospitalized and died on Nov. 5.

"Children with underlying health conditions are especially vulnerable to this illness, and thus they are among our highest priority groups to receive the vaccine," said Irene Pierce, the Health Department's Executive Director. "We continue to remind everyone to take steps to prevent the flu, such as covering your cough, washing your hands frequently and staying home if you are sick."

The LCHD reports 61 hospitalizations since April of 2009 associated with H1N1 and five deaths. The prior deaths include a 15-year-old female resident of Lake County, a 74-year-old male in Gurnee, a 41-year-old female in Gurnee, and an 80-year-old female in Long Grove.

As of Nov. 6, the Illinois Department of Public Health reports 1,003 hospitalizations and 36 deaths related to H1N1 influenza in the state. The Lake County Health Department received its first shipment of H1N1 vaccine on October 26, which it distributed through five walk-in clinics. For updates on vaccine supply in Lake County, please visit lakecountyil.gov/health. The Health Department's H1N1 hotline number is (847) 377-8350.