Monday, June 15, 2009
Last updated 4:57 p.m. PT

First King County death from swine flu
By CHRIS GRYGIEL
SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

An elderly Seattle man has died from complications from H1N1 influenza - swine flu - becoming the first reported death in King County.

The person who died June 11 was in his 70s, had underlying heath conditions and had been hospitalized.

"This death is a tragic development, and our hearts go out to the family," said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. "H1N1 flu can have very serious consequences, and we continue to closely monitor the disease. Since we are seeing a declining number of new, serious infections, we are now intensively planning and preparing for the anticipated return of the virus in the fall."

Forty-seven people have been hospitalized and 524 people have been confirmed with H1N1 influenza in King County, according to health officials.

The World Health Organization last week declared H1N1 as a pandemic, meaning that the disease has spread widely around the world. The declaration is based on geographic spread of the virus, not on the severity of the illness.

For more information about the disease, people can go to the county public health Web site

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/407245_flu15.html