The San Juan County Health and Community Services Department reported that a San Juan County child under the age of four was hospitalized Nov. 4 at Children’s Hospital in Seattle due to complications related to H1N1 influenza (swine flu). This is the first hospitalization from H1N1 in the county.

County Health Officer Dr. Frank James reported that the hospitalized youngster had an existing, chronic respiratory condition, which has been identified as a risk factor in H1N1 cases. He notes that one-third of the young people hospitalized with complications from H1N1 suffer from asthma.

According to County health officials, the child had received a dose of H1N1 vaccine 12 days before being hospitalized, however children under the age of 10 years require two doses of the vaccine – separated by at least 21 days – to maximize the vaccine’s effectiveness.

At this time cases of influenza are widespread in San Juan County, however, this is the first reported hospitalization of a county resident associated with the disease, and no deaths have been linked to H1N1 here.

The Health Department is monitoring public school absenteeism daily and coordinating activities with all healthcare providers. Dr. James said that cases in schools on San Juan and Orcas appear to have peaked, with fewer students absent last week than in previous weeks. However, “We expect the number of cases in the community as a whole to continue to grow for some time after the cases in schools begin to drop off.”

He added that cases appeared in Lopez schools later than on San Juan or Orcas and reported absences there are higher this week than last.

Shipments of H1N1 influenza vaccine continue to arrive regularly but the supply continues to be limited. Vaccine is being distributed through health care providers throughout the County and is being administered to groups considered most at risk for suffering complications from H1N1 flu. H1N1 information is available by phone 24 hours/day in San Juan County by dialing 2-1-1.