Kelsey Young died Thursday morning at Doctor’s Hospital, 10TV News reported.
Young gave birth to a girl, Ava Renee, during the 32nd week of her pregnancy, a week before she died. The infant was expected to be OK, 10TV’s Maureen Kocot reported.
“Tragically, a local resident has died of H1N1 and our hearts go out to her family,” said Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long. “This tragedy reinforces our community that it is not immune to this worldwide pandemic, and we all need to prepare now to protect ourselves, our families and the entire community.”
Long said the woman went to the hospital after developing flu-like symptoms and her baby was delivered prematurely, 10TV’s Tanisha Mallett reported.
“We can also confirm, thanks to the great efforts of the Ohio Health team, the baby was delivered prior to her death and is reported to be doing well,” Long said.
Dr. Mysheika LeMaile-Williams, medical director and assistant health commissioner, said the woman’s death was a reminder that pregnant women were among the groups at high-risk for seasonal and H1N1 influenza.
“Pregnant women are a vulnerable population because they are considered to be immunocompromised,” LeMaile-Williams said. “You have one body that is trying to do the work of two individuals.”
Health officials said people should do the following to help prevent the spread of H1N1 and seasonal flu:
- Get a seasonal flu shot.
- Stay home from work or school if you are sick.
- Cover your cough.
- Wash your hands and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Get a H1N1 vaccine when it’s available.
An H1N1 vaccine is being developed and is expected to be made available to priority groups in mid-October.
Priority groups include pregnant women, health care workers and emergency medical responders, people caring for infants less than 6 months old, children and young adults aged 6 months to 24 years, and people ages 25-64 with underlying medical conditions.
Three people in Ohio have died from complications of H1N1 influenza, according to Kristopher Weiss with the Ohio Department of Health.
A man from Butler County and a woman from Cuyahoga County died in June after contracting the virus.
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