Northwest Louisiana Child Dies From Swine Flu; Toll Up To 20

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — State health officials have confirmed the death of a Northwest Louisiana child caused by the swine flu variety, known as H1N1 influenza, one of several strains currently circulating.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals say the child died Wednesday at a Shreveport hospital. It's the first confirmed pediatric death in the state this flu season.

Officials say the death has been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as required by law, but it won't show up in the state's surveillance report until next week.

At least 20 people have died in the state from the flu since Oct. 1.

In a news release Friday, DHH Secretary Kathy Kliebert urged residents to be serious about taking preventive measures against spreading the flu.

Filed Under: swine flu