2 more die of H1N1 in Southern Nevada

By Tiffany Gibson

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009 | 12:43 p.m.

The Southern Nevada Health District reported today that two people have died within the past week from the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, bringing the total number of deaths in the Las Vegas area to 32.

The patients were a 20-year-old man and a 56-year-old man, both of whom had underlying medical conditions.

To date, there have been 3,343 reported cases of H1N1 in Southern Nevada since Aug. 31.

The Southern Nevada Health District also announced today that H1N1 vaccines will be offered to the general public beginning Friday.

The initial target groups for injections included pregnant women, those who have contact with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical services staff, all people from 6 months to 24 years, and people ages 25 through 64 years who have health conditions putting them at higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

Infants younger than 6 months can't receive the H1N1 vaccine.

To date, the health district has received 147,100 doses of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine and has administered more than 86,500 doses since Oct. 10, the Southern Nevada Health District reported today.

For more information call the Nevada Helpline (702) 759-4636.