The Department of Health has reported its first death in South Dakota from H1N1 influenza. The patient was a Shannon County resident in the 40-49 age group who had underlying health conditions. Because of state confidentiality statutes, the name and other details about the patient can't be released.

"We extend our sympathy to the family. Their loss should remind us all that influenza, whether seasonal or H1N1, can be a serious illness," said Doneen Hollingsworth, Secretary of Health. "Unfortunately, we can expect to see more cases of H1N1 and more deaths are likely as well, just as we see each year with seasonal flu."

Since the beginning of the 2009-2010 flu season, South Dakota has reported 191 lab-confirmed cases of H1N1 flu and 25 hospitalizations. Pregnant women, young children, and individual with chronic health conditions appear to be most at risk for the H1N1 virus - 72% of confirmed cases and 61% of related hospitalizations in South Dakota are among those younger than 19.

The state expects to begin offering H1N1 vaccine to high risk groups such as pregnant women and young children by mid-October. As those groups are immunized, the vaccine will be available to members of the general population as well.

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