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Two more US states report fresh deaths of H1N1 flu

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-07-03 15:28

HOUSTON: Two more US states, Ohio and Hawaii, reported fresh A(H1N1) flu deaths on Thursday.

The Ohio Department of Health said in a news release on Thursday that a man in his 40s died on June 29 at Fort Hamilton Hospital in Hamilton, the first victim of the A(H1N1) flu virus in the state.

The man's name was not released, but health officials said he had underlying health problems that may have contributed to his death.

Full coverage:  A（H1N1） Influenza Outbreak Related readings:  TCM cures H1N1 flu in Beijing  Death toll from A(H1N1) flu reaches 337 worldwide: WHO  H1N1 flu patient dies in East China  Official: Flu patient didn't die from H1N1  Flu hits schools in Guangdong, tighter control wanted

"Our hearts go out to this man's family and loved ones," said Alvin D. Jackson, director of the department. "This is sad, and not entirely unexpected. We continue to urge Ohioans to take proper precautions and will monitor the situation closely."

As of Thursday, Ohio had 108 confirmed and six probable A(H1N1) cases, according to local officials.

Earlier this week, the Hawaii State Department of Health confirmed that an Oahu woman in her late 60s is Hawaii's first fatality linked to the A(H1N1) flu virus.

The woman died on June 19 at Tripler Army Medical Center, the department said in a news release on Monday, adding that the A(H1N1) flu infection had contributed to underlying medical conditions that caused the death.

The department has confirmed 616 cases of the A(H1N1) flu since May 5. Of these cases, all but three have recovered or are recovering at home with no complications, officials said.

Nationwide, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday reported on its website there have been 170 deaths of A(H1N1) flu in 23 states, excluding the first deaths in Ohio and Hawaii.

Local officials explained that, becasue of different reporting schedules, state counts usually will be higher and more up-to-date than those on the CDC website.