Deaths from H1N1 flu reported in six states

June 5, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

A woman in Berks County became the Keystone State’s first death from swine flu.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Health officials in a half dozen states reported deaths from swine flu Thursday, and said all six patients had been diagnosed with other health problems

Pennsylvania reported its first death from the illness. The 55-year-old Berks County woman who died with the flu had significant underlying health issues, a health department spokeswoman said.

The state has 269 confirmed cases and 101 probable cases of illness due to the virus, according to the health department.

“We continue to monitor this outbreak and are taking every possible step to minimize the impact of the virus on the citizens of Pennsylvania,” Secretary of Health Everette James said.

An adult living in Milwaukee became Wisconsin’s first resident to die with the H1N1 virus. City Health Commissioner Bevan Baker would not release any details except to say that the person had a common underlying health condition that he would not specify.

Pennsylvania reported its first death from the illness. The 55-year-old Berks County woman who died with the flu had significant underlying health issues, a health department spokeswoman said.

In Illinois, a 74-year-old man from Gurnee died Tuesday, according to the Lake County Health Department. Officials said he had significant medical conditions that increased his vulnerability.

Officials in California said a 9-year-old Concord girl had been diagnosed with swine flu and had a bacterial infection before she died May 29. The patient who died in Utah also was under 18, according to Gary Edwards, executive director of the Salt Lake Valley Health Department.

In Arizona, a 64-year-old woman living in Pinal County became the fifth person in the state to die from complications of swine flu, authorities said. The woman had underlying health conditions and was being treated for pneumonia at the time of her death last week, health officials said.