Health

Death of Baby in New York City Linked to H1N1 Virus?

by Mary Richard | May 19, 2009 at 04:45 am

634 views | 78 Recommendations | 7 comments

Update May 20th:

The initial nasal swab tests indicate the baby did not have H1N1, officials announced Tuesday night. Further testing is to be done by the CDC.

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Testing is being done by the CDC today for the culprit in the death of a toddler late last night at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, New York.

Monday night, around 9:30, a 16-month-old was rushed into the ER with flu-like symptoms. Less than an hour later, the infant died, and now the hard work begins to determine if it's the city's second fatal case of swine flu.

The city is still reeling from the death of Assistant Principal Mitchell Wiener on Sunday, their first H1N1 victim. Says wife Bonnie Wiener, "He loved coming to work every day, he was happiest when he was sitting behind his desk in his office. He hated to go on vacation."

The number of New York City schools ordered closed amid rapidly growing fears of swine flu has grown to 16 after the Health Department annouced four more schools will shut down and one Manhattan private school said it would be closing its doors as well.

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Samir Joshi

at 05:05 on May 19th, 2009

I sincerely hope that this pandemic dies down.... We need healthier environment!

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 05:34 on May 19th, 2009

It seems to be dwindling, I think the danger now is, if it will reemerge in 6 months.

Uwe Paschen

at 06:19 on May 19th, 2009

The cases of H1N1 seem to have spread to Far east Asia now where new cases are being reported each day.

Mary Richard

at 07:55 on May 19th, 2009

Thank you for commenting. I agree, it's on the back burner here for now, for most. But I can verify that it's alive and kicking here in Toronto, at least the flu part. I took public transit just yesterday, and was speaking with someone who'd come from Mexico a month ago. He was coughing up a storm, all the while offering up his phone number. I'm glad I don't take the TTC too often! (O.O)

Health Canada has said the worst is over for this season, and has lifted the Mexico travel advisory - but that's because we are now just as likely to get H1N1 here as there. Fortunately, most cases in Canada (520) are mild.