First Mass. child dies of swine flu

By Stephen Smith, Globe Staff

Laboratory testing confirmed today that a 13-year-old Worcester boy with persistent health problems died from swine flu, the first Massachusetts youth to succumb to the novel virus that has killed more than 200 people in the United States, public health authorities reported this evening.

Authorities also said preliminary testing strongly suggests that the death of a 64-year-old Worcester County man was caused by the virus known by the scientific name H1N1. With the two deaths in Worcester -- which are unrelated -- Massachusetts has recorded six swine flu deaths since the virus was first detected in the state in late April; the four other deaths were in Boston.

The teenager, who died last week, had underlying medical conditions that made him more susceptible to complications from the viral illness, said John Auerbach, the state's public health commissioner. Because of patient confidentiality laws, the Department of Public Health declined to identify the teen or to delineate his medical problems.

Disease trackers have reported that swine flu appears to present the most dire threat to children with asthma, diabetes, or neurological conditions such as muscular dystrophy. "Unfortunately, for some children and particularly those children who do have certain kinds of underlying health issues, it can be quite risky," Auerbach said.

As a result, health authorities urged parents of such youngsters to be especially vigilant. "If a child with any of the identified underlying conditions develops a fever or what appears to be flu-like illness, I would encourage the parent of that child to call their doctor and to confer with their doctor at an early stage," the public health commissioner said. By doing that, Auerbach said, the parent and physician can determine whether a trip to the pediatrician is necessary.

Children and young adults appear to be particularly susceptible to the swine flu virus, with nearly two of every three confirmed cases in Massachusetts being recorded in youths 18 or younger. But in most cases, the H1N1 virus -- reflecting the behavior of seasonal influenza strains -- has not presented a mortal threat to children. Instead, Auerbach said, youngsters infected with the virus typically experience two or three days of relatively mild symptoms, including fever, cough, and chills.

No one else in the family of the 13-year-old boy is ill, state disease investigators said, and there is no evidence that he infected other children.