Timmons boy, 15, who died after contracting swine flu had other medical problem
October 15, 2009
TIMMINS, Ont. – A 15-year-old boy in Timmins, Ont., who died after contracting the H1N1 virus had an underlying medical condition.
Lynn Leggett, the manager of infectious diseases at the Porcupine Health Unit, says the condition would have contributed to his death.
The swine flu-related death reported Wednesday was the first in the northern Ontario city.
A second 15-year-old boy diagnosed with the H1N1 virus continues to recover at home.
Six people in the area have been diagnosed with H1N1 to date.
The Porcupine Health Unit has plans to work with local schools to talk to concerned staff students and parents.
Dr. Susan Kaczmarek, the Medical Officer of Health in Timmins, wrote that H1N1 is a "community acquired disease" and people can be exposed practically anywhere.