Utah and Arizona report swine flu-related deaths

[May 21, 2009]  SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Utah officials reported the state's first death associated with swine flu and Arizona recorded that state's third victim, pushing the national death toll to 10 people.

David Sundwall, executive director of the Utah Department of Health, said a 21-year-old man with swine flu died Wednesday morning at a Salt Lake City hospital.

Sundwall said the man was overweight and had chronic medical conditions, including respiratory problems and other health issues, that would put him at risk.

Dagmar Vitek, medical director for the Salt Lake Valley Health Department, says an investigation to determine how the man contracted the virus is under way. She said officials don't believe he traveled recently.

In neighboring Arizona, health officials said Wednesday a 13-year-old boy from Tucson also has died with swine flu. The teenager died Friday of complications from the flu. He had been hospitalized May 10.

The Arizona Department of Health Services, which confirmed test results, said an older sibling of the teen is hospitalized with the virus, and other family members have recovered from the flu, according to spokeswoman Patti Woodcock.

In New York, students, officials, educators and friends gathered Wednesday at the funeral of an assistant principal who became New York City's first confirmed death related to swine flu. Hospital and city officials said complications besides the virus probably played a part in Sunday's death of the 55-year-old educator.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 5,700 confirmed and probable cases of swine flu in 47 states and Washington, D.C.

The World Health Organization said 41 countries have reported more than 10,000 cases, mostly in the U.S. and Mexico. The organization said 80 deaths have been reported.

[Associated Press; By MIKE STARK]

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