CDC: Texas swine flu death first in U.S.
By Dale Lezon, Bradley Olson and Todd Ackerman - Houston Chronicle
The first reported death in the United States from the swine flu outbreak was that of a 23-month-old Mexico City boy who fell ill in Brownsville and was transported for treatment at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, where he died Monday, officials said.
Also, officials suspended all high school athletic and academic competition statewide until at least May 11 because of the spreading flu, which has prompted five districts to cancel classes entirely, including three in suburban San Antonio.
Gov. Rick Perry issued a disaster declaration for the entire state, basically a paperwork measure that allows Texas to begin emergency protective measures and seek reimbursement from the federal government. Perry also said Texas has 850,000 more courses of antiviral medicine coming, which would double its supply.
Dr. David Persse, director of Houston's emergency medical services, said the acutely ill child was admitted to a Brownsville hospital on April 13 and immediately was rushed by medical transport to Houston.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the boy already had "several underlying health problems" before he flew to Matamoros on April 4 and crossed into Brownsville to visit relatives.
The first death had to be from Brownsville, didn't it? If there weren't already enough reasons to not move to Brownville including car theft, boiling hot weather and no scenery we now have to add 'Swine Flu Capital of the Nation' to that. I just can't get a fair shake, can I?
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