The Associated Press
EDINBURG, Texas — A South Texas county has confirmed six deaths from swine flu since Thanksgiving.
Officials with the Hidalgo (hih-DAL'-goh) County Health and Human Services in Edinburg on Thursday announced the six deaths from the H1N1 influenza strain.
Chief administrative officer Eduardo Olivarez says the victims included five adults and one child - age 7. All six victims had previous health conditions such as diabetes, obesity or high blood pressure.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said Texas is one of a handful of states with “high” activity of influenza-like illnesses. Current flu vaccines are designed to protect against H1N1.
Child flu deaths must be reported to Texas health officials, but adult flu deaths are not tracked statewide.