State H1N1 death toll rises to 31

The number of deaths related to the H1N1 flu virus is on the rise. The state number now stands at 31. The last count for H1N1-related deaths since Spring was 20. The new total includes one Oconto County death.

H1N1 flu vaccination clinics throughout our area and around the state and country have drawn crowds.

"(It's) very different season from other flu seasons, just in the fact that because it is a novel strain we are seeing more illness with it," said Carol Bess, Bellin Health infection preventionist.

With some of that illness, comes death. The statewide number of H1N1 related deaths in Wisconsin has risen to 31.

"We certainly don't want people to panic," said Stephanie Marquis of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. "We want to make sure they take those good precautions, stay home when you're sick, have your little one stay home home when they're sick."

Right now the H1N1 flu vaccine is for people who are considered high risk, like pregnant women, health care professionals, and those with chronic sickness.

"The one sort of commonality that we're seeing in many of these deaths and many of the hospitalizations, certainly not all of them but the majority, is that the individuals had underlying medical conditions, which is why you see the vaccine being targeted to those people right now," said Marquis.

While the number of deaths has increased, state and local health professionals report they believe the instances of H1N1 may have peaked, and numbers appear to be decreasing.

"In the last two to three weeks our numbers are starting to now trend down. Right now in our clinics and in our emergency room we're pretty much back to normal," said Bess.

Though the disease may be slowing down, health officials still recommend you take precautions against it, and get the vaccine if possible.

"Especially with the upcoming holiday season and large gatherings again, we want people to be protected against the infection," said Bess.

As far as the total number of H1N1-related deaths jumping during the past week from 20 to 31, the state health department says that does not necessarily mean 11 people died in Wisconsin during the past week. It says there is now confirmation those deaths are H1N1 related.