Community Corner

Swine Flu Kills 2 in Marin

A healthy 48-year-old woman is the county's most recent casualty of the H1N1 virus. The Bay Area death toll is up to eight.

By Sasha Lekach

Bay City News Service

 

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A deadly flu virus has killed two Marin County residents and claimed the live of at least six others in the Bay Area.

A healthy 48-year-old woman died of an influenza-related complication on Jan. 6, Marin County Public health officials said.

Find out what's happening in San Rafaelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A 63-year-old man with chronic medical conditions died on Dec. 27.

The H1N1 influenza strain, known as "swine flu" when it first emerged in 2009, appears to be the main strain afflicting people this flu season.

The swine flu has already killed eight Bay Area residents this year, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The strain was particularly rampant during the 2009-10 flu season and affected children and young adults more than older adults, state health officials said.

Peak flu season is between January and March.

Health officials are urging vaccinations for everyone ages 6 months and older.

This year's vaccine protects against H1N1.

- Gideon Rubin contributed to this report

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