By Dan Locke and Katie Knapp Schubert
Omaha, NE – Douglas County has its first death from the H1N1 virus.
Health officials announced Thursday afternoon that the victim was a woman in her 20s. She had an underlying medical condition and died Wednesday evening. The woman is from Douglas County.
Her death is the third from H1N1, also known as the swine flu, in Nebraska. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services says there are ways you can protect yourself from catching the swine flu. You should wash your hands often and cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough. If you are ill, stay home from school or work for seven days or until your symptoms disappear.
Health officials also urge everyone to get a vaccination against the swine flu once it becomes available.
Health Department Director Dr. Adi Pour says the vaccine is coming in October and there could be more deaths from the swine flu.