Ohio reports first child death from swine flu

10/9/2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Health officials say a 14-year-old boy from Columbus is the first child in Ohio to die of swine flu.

Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long said Friday that officials are working with the boy's school, which was not identified.

The boy died Thursday night at Nationwide Children's Hospital. No other details were released. He is the fifth person in Ohio to die of swine flu, according to lab-confirmed data compiled by the state.

U.S. health officials are stressing the importance of vaccinations for both seasonal flu and swine flu. Injectable vaccines for swine flu are expected to arrive later this month.