INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Indian River County Health Department announced Thursday the second confirmed H1N1 flu-related death since the virus began circulating in the county last April.The victim was listed as a 49-year-old male resident of Indian River County. The health department provided no other details. The first death was a 36-year-old male, who died last fall. The health department said in a press release that while the Swine Flu disease rates at present are significantly lower around the country than when word of the virus captured the public’s attention last fall, “Activity in Indian River County has increased slightly in recent weeks, a trend that is also present in the Southeast part of the United States.”With a vaccine now widely available the Center for Disease Control is encouraging everyone to get vaccinated, especially those at a higher risk for complications, including pregnant women, people with health conditions, the very young, and those 65 years and older. The majority of H1N1 deaths have occurred in people between the ages of 50 and 64, with 80 percent of those cases involving an underlying health condition.”Even if people have put off being vaccinated, now is the perfect time to get vaccinated for those who don’t want to risk being infected with H1N1 influenza,” said Miranda Swanson, health department administrator.The vaccine is available throughout in the community as well as through walk in appointments at Indian River County Health Department or the Gifford Health Center. There is no charge for the vaccine at the county run facilities.For more information call the Health Department at 794-7400.
