Respiratory Illness Results in 3 Deaths in Lusby Family
Posted March 6th

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. (March 6, 2012) -- The Calvert County Health Department (CCHD) is investigating a cluster of respiratory illnesses that have resulted in the deaths of three individuals from the Lusby area. CCHD officials say the cases appear to be confined to a single family and there are currently no other affected individuals at this time.

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the first case of illness occurred in an 81-year-old woman who presented symptoms at her home beginning on or about February 23. She was cared for at home by three of her children, a son and two daughters. The caregivers developed similar upper respiratory symptoms on or about February 28. All were hospitalized and became critically ill. The elderly woman, a 58-year-old son, and a 56-year-old daughter subsequently died. A third family member and caregiver is currently hospitalized at the Washington Hospital Center.

con. http://www.somd.com/news/headlines/2012/15200.shtml

Flu Infections and MRSA Deaths in Maryland

According to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Washington Post and ProMED, five members of a family have fallen ill and three have died from MRSA pneumonia that took hold in lungs inflamed by flu infection.

The dead are Ruth Blake, 81, and her children Lowell, 58, and Vanessa, 56. Another child, Elaine, also fell ill and was hospitalized, and Ruth Blake’s sister has been hospitalized also. They had all contracted one of the seasonal flu strains circulating this year: H3N2. According to the Post, Ruth Blake was vaccinated against flu this season; her children were not. The assumption is that both flu and MRSA spread from the mother to the children.

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con. http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/ ... pneumonia/

Been watching this one, too. Ruts. Great job!


Strain Of Influenza A Confirmed In Md. Family Deaths

11:36 PM, Mar 9, 2012

BALTIMORE (WUSA) -- Testing has confirmed that all four members of a Calvert County family, three of whom have died, had the H3N2 strain of influenza A.

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says the DHMH Laboratories Administration confirmed that all four cases had the H3N2 strain of influenza A through testing. It says H3N2 is one of the influenza strains circulating in Maryland and nationwide right now.

DHMH said in a press release on Friday: "At least two of these cases were complicated by bacterial co-infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus co-infection is a known complication of influenza infection."

It added that this season's flu vaccine offers protection against influenza A H3N2 as well as influenza H1N1 and influenza B. DHMH recommends people over the age of six months get the vaccine and that everyone take precautionary measures to prevent spreading the flu.

DHMH and the Calvert County Health Department continue to investigate the family's case. It says there are "no additional related severe respiratory illnesses have been confirmed and no other similar clusters have been identified."

http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/195592/158/Strain-Of-Influenza-A-Confirmed-In-Md-Family-Deaths

What is worrisome is that H3N2 is a combo of swine AND avian. Apparently one daughter survived.

If the vaccine offers protection against H3N2, how do they explain that the initial case, the 81 year old mother, had been vaccinated, yet still got the flu, then passed it on to her children who were caring for her?

Ding, ding, ding.

Some in the flu community are openly speculating this is a mutant strain NOT covered by the vaccine.