Memphis and Shelby County got a somber reminder this past weekend that the H1N1 influenza can be deadly.

The Memphis and Shelby County Health Department confirmed the death of a child as a result of H1N1 influenza. The child became ill last week and died Monday at a local hospital. Health professionals are determining if any underlying medical conditions may have contributed to his death.

Kenneth S. Robinson, M.D., Shelby County Health Officer, who was among those at a Monday press conference, said it was the first known death in Shelby County as a result of H1N1 influenza.

“At this particularly difficult time, we want to convey our sincere condolences to the family of this child,” Robinson said.

“While we realize that most individuals may only experience a mild illness, this death is a somber reminder that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications and about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes each year,” he added.

Symptoms of H1N1 influenza – which are similar to the seasonal flu – include fever, muscle aches and either a cough, sore throat or runny nose. Headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur. Most people who are ill will recover and do not require specific testing or treatment. But, Robinson noted that “this child’s death reflects what we’ve seen around the world. H1N1 is disproportionately impacting young people, compared to seasonal flu.”

The Health Department is receiving many reports of flu-like illness from individuals, schools, physicians, and employers throughout Shelby County.

“Due to the likely magnitude of the spread of the virus, the Health Department expects to see a continued increase in influenza-like illness due to the H1N1 strain in the next several weeks,” according to Yvonne Madlock, Director of the Health Department. “Following CDC guidelines, our plans are being aggressively implemented to help prevent the spread of H1N1 in our county.”

Young children, pregnant women, and people who suffer from chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease are priority groups to receive the H1N1 vaccine due to an increased risk of complications from the flu. The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in October.

However, infants less than six months of age are particularly vulnerable because they are too young to receive flu vaccines, so individuals who care for them are also a priority group to receive the vaccine.

“We are still early in the flu season; and we know that many adults and children will become ill prior to the availability of the H1N1 vaccine, and that the H1N1 virus is likely to be with us well into next summer. Given that, we want to encourage everyone to continue practicing social distancing and good hygiene in order to minimize exposure,” Robinson said.

For more information about H1N1, visit http://tinyurl.com/TSD-flu, or go to www.flu.gov or www.shelbycountytn.gov. Citizens also can also call the Health Department’s recorded information line, 901-544-6969, or to speak with a person, call the 2-1-1 line at the Memphis Public Library and Information Center. The hours of operation are: Monday - Thursday from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Friday - Saturday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.