Another Kansan dies from H1N1 flu virus

A 71-year-old woman from northeast Kansas has died from the H1N1 flu virus. She was not from Douglas County.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said the death brings the total number of confirmed deaths from H1N1 to 29.

The woman’s infection was confirmed in the KDHE laboratory on March 19, and her death was reported to KDHE on Tuesday.

The woman had underlying health conditions that placed her at greater risk for severe complications of influenza.

The activity level of the H1N1 flu virus is low in Kansas, including Douglas County.

“We are watching this virus closely, particularly in light of the increased activity that states in the southeastern part of the country are reporting,” said Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips, state health officer. “Anyone who has not yet received the pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine should do so.”

Lisa Horn, Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department spokeswoman, said the health department still is providing the H1N1 flu vaccine for free at its clinic, 200 Maine. For more information, call 843-3060.