Four more H1N1 deaths in Alberta; one in Calgary

Michelle Lang, Calgary Herald

Published: Thursday, November 05, 2009

CALGARY - Alberta Health has announced four more H1N1 flu-related deaths in the province, including a Calgarian.

The provincial health department said Thursday the deaths occurred in two elderly people and two middle aged people and at least three of them had risk factors that predisposed them to developing serious disease from the new strain of influenza.

One death was in Calgary, one was in the southern part of the province, one was in central Alberta and the fourth was in Edmonton.

Ally Cockerline hugs her 10 month old daughter Brooklyn as they wait in line for Brooklyn's H1N1 vaccine Thursday, November 5 in the under 5 years clinic at Avenida Mall. They came to get their number for the shots at 6 a.m.

Ted Rhodes

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"Given the amount of influenza that's circulating in the community having four deaths this week is not unexpected," said Dr. Gerry Predy, senior medical officer of health with the medical superboard.

"It is tragic, it's unfortunate when anyone dies. Even during seasonal influenza when we get to this level of activity we do see deaths."

Alberta Health Services would not provide any other information on the victims, citing privacy concerns.

The agency said a total of 439 people have been hospitalized with the virus since the new flu strain emerged in April, claiming a total of 18 lives.

News of the deaths comes as the province relaunches H1N1 immunization clinics for young children today.

Six clinics in Calgary are offering the vaccine to children who are less than five years old as of Nov. 1.

Infants must also be older than six months of age to be eligible for a shot and health officials say they will be asking for proof of age.

Tomorrow, when the first shipments of non-adjuvanted vaccine are available, pregnant women will also be eligible to receive shots at the six Calgary clinics. Women will not be required to prove they are pregnant.

mlang@theherald.canwest.com

© The Calgary Herald 2009