Michigan has first swine flu fatality

Warren -- A Warren woman died Monday after a two-week sickness, making her the first Michigan fatality of the swine flu or H1N1 virus, state officials said.

The 53-year-old woman, whose name is being withheld, had underlying health issues but the primary cause of death was the H1N1 virus that is believed to have come from Mexico this spring, said James McCurtis, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Community Health. Health officials aren't sure how she contracted the virus, but say she died in a Macomb County hospital.

"It's always tragic to have a death in our state and to have a death as a result of this virus," McCurtis said. "This is sad and unfortunate. But, at the same time, we do expect a number of deaths (nationally) following the infection from this virus."

Nationally, there have been 17 deaths from the H1N1 virus: four each in Arizona and New York, three each in Illinois and Texas, and one each in Missouri, Utah and Washington, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are 11,054 confirmed cases in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

In Michigan, there are 298 confirmed cases, including 20 in Macomb, 15 in Livingston, 68 in Oakland and 15 in Wayne counties.

"The number of deaths we've had in the country is small and the number of deaths in Michigan is even smaller," McCurtis said. "It isn't a time for people to panic."

Macomb County officials said it's important that people take the usual precautions by washing their hands frequently, covering their noses and mouths when coughing and going to the doctor's office if they have flu-like symptoms.

"It's very unfortunate and we understand (the family's) grief," Macomb County spokesman Phil Frame said. "It just points out that the flu is a virus that people ought to seek attention for if they're feeling very bad and not take lightly."

cstolarz@detnews.com (313) 222-2650