Waterbury Child, 6, Becomes State's Second Swine Flu Fatality
Courant Staff Report
3:51 PM EDT, June 11, 2009
A Connecticut child who had swine flu and underlying medical conditions has died, the second state death linked to the virus, according to the state Department of Public Health.

The child, a 6-year-old from Waterbury, did not attend school this year, died recently after being hospitalized.

"There is no greater loss than the death of a child, and our deepest sympathies go out to this child's parents and family," said Dr. J. Robert Galvin, commissioner of the state Department of Public Health. "Though the cases of H1N1 flu in Connecticut have largely been mild, this death underscores the seriousness of influenza and the devastating impact it can have."

Galvin added that deaths from H1N1, or swine flu, are not unexpected. Every year, about 36,000 people die from seasonal flu in the U.S.

The state has had 637 confirmed cases of swine flu, though the actual number of cases is likely much higher because many people with mild symptoms recovered at home without seeking care from a doctor or hospital. Nine patients are known to have been hospitalized, including the two who died. The others have recovered, according to the state health department.

On Thursday, the World Health Organization declared swine flu a pandemic, a determination based on the virus' geographic spread. State health officials have said the designation was expected and that it does not change what state and local health departments are doing to prepare for and respond to swine flu.

Health officials continue to urge people to take precautions against the spread of flu, including frequent hand washing, covering coughs and staying home if they feel sick.

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