SIERRA VISTA — Cochise County has seen its first H1N1 death.

County health officials, along with the Arizona Department of Health Services confirm that a man in his late 30s with underlying health conditions died from swine flu. This marks the first death in Cochise County associated with the new flu strain.

There have been 39 deaths in Arizona associated with 2009 H1N1 since the outbreak began last April.

The dead patient had diabetes, one of the underlying health conditions considered to raise risks for complications from the flu.

“Unfortunately, we knew it was only a matter of time before someone died of complications from this illness here in Cochise County,” said Vaira Harik, director of the Cochiose County Health Department. “We extend our condolences to this gentleman’s family. Influenza is serious, especially for those with underlying health conditions. This death does not change our course of action here in Cochise County.”

H1N1 vaccine has started arriving in the county, and health officials will be announcing vaccination clinic plans shortly. In the meantime, people are reminded to keep taking proactive steps to avoid becoming sick. 

“The only way we get through any infectious disease outbreak is by working together,” Harik said. “We need to remember to keep our kids home when they are sick, stay home from work when we are sick, cover our coughs and sneezes, and keep our hands washed. It sounds simple and it is. These small actions can make all the difference.”

While the new H1N1 strain of swine flu has been similar to seasonal flu in symptoms, spread and response to treatment, one difference is in the demographic that it hits. To date, H1N1 affects younger populations, where seasonal flu is more dangerous among older age groups. As with seasonal flu, people with existing health issues are at greater risk of serious health complications.

Will Humble, who is the acting director of the Arizona Health Department, emphasized that “while most illnesses from this new flu strain have been fairly mild, we must remember that influenza claims about 36,000 lives every year nationwide. That’s why we urge people to take this outbreak, and the seasonal flu we see every year, very seriously.”

Preventing flu

The Cochise County Health Department continues to recommend the following Centers for Disease Control guidelines for controlling the spread of swine flu. There are everyday actions people can take to  stay healthy:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash after it has been used.

• Avoid coughing or sneezing in your hands.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also are effective.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• Influenza is thought to spread from person-to-person when infected people cough or sneeze.

• Stay home when you’re sick to limit contact with others to prevent the flu from spreading.

Cold or flu?

The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.