NW suburban Cook County resident dies of swine flu

A female from Northwest suburban Cook County has died from swine flu, officials reported today.

The person who died had other unspecified significant medical conditions that increased vulnerability to the H1N1 virus. Officials would not release anymore information about the victim, citing confidentiality and respect for the family.

People in close contact with the victim, including health care providers, have received unspecified "appropriate medical attention."

Dr. Damon Arnold, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, extended sympathies to the family, and reminded the public to try to suppress the spread of swine flu by covering your cough and sneeze, washing your hands frequently, and staying at home if you get sick.

The elderly and children with flu-like symptoms should consult a doctor.

Illinois has 975 confirmed cases of swine flu, and one suspected case.

That includes 430 cases in Chicago, 288 in suburban Cook County, 61 in DuPage, 30 in Kane, 57 in Lake, 4 in McHenry and 57 in Will.

The previous Illinois fatality was a Chicago man whose death was reported Monday.

Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control reports nearly 8,000 cases and 11 deaths in addition to the two Illinois fatalities.

Illinois previously had more cases of the H1N1 virus than any other state, but has now been surpassed by Texas and Wisconsin.

The vast majority of the cases have been mild, but deaths have occurred nationwide, most often with people who have underlying medical conditions. Many of the early cases reported locally involved school age children and young adults.