KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | 5-month-old child dies from H1N1

5-month-old child dies from H1N1

SPOKANE, Wash. - According to Spokane Regional Health District Public Information Manager Julie Graham, a 5-month-old child has died from the swine flu.

The child was transported to a Spokane hospital from the Tri-Cities to receive medical care.

Officials from the benton-Franklin Health District said the child had "serious underlying health conditions."

Governor Gregoire also issued a statement concerning the child's death.

"My heart goes out to the family of this baby," said Governor Chris Gregoire. "The last thing we want to hear is about the death of any of our residents, but it is especially hard when it is a child. I encourage all Washingtonians to take precautions to keep themselves and their children healthy during the coming months."

The child's death emphasizes the recommendation that household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age be vaccinated.

Aside from those in contact with children younger than 6 months of age, those prioritized for vaccination include:

• Pregnant women, because they are at higher risk of complications from influenza;
• Health care and emergency medical services personnel who provide direct patient care, to prevent illness and transmission to patients. Illness and absenteeism in this group could impact our health care system capacity;
• All people 6 months to 24 years of age, because the majority of cases have occurred in this age group, and because of the increased likelihood of disease spread in schools and childcare settings; and
• People 25 to 64 years of age who have underlying health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from flu.