Niagara County Death Linked to H1N1

The recent death of a Niagara County resident has been linked to a suspected case of H1N1 flu.

According to the Niagara County Department of Health, the death involved a middle aged adult with an underlying medical condition. No further information about the individual has been released.

This is the first swine flu-related death in Niagara County since the outbreak began back in April.

Health officials stress that this does not mean that the H1N1 virus has changed to cause more severe illness.

"Most people with the flu continue to have mild to moderate symptoms and recover at home without medical treatment," said Daniel Stapleton, Public Health Director. "Sadly, as with ordinary seasonal flu, the H1N1 flu can, and occasionally does, cause serious illness and death, especially to individuals with underlying medical risk factors."

Health officials remind those who are at higher risk for serious complications from the flu to contact their healthcare providers at first sign of flu-like symptoms.