Albuquerque boy, 11, dies from H1N1

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - An 11-year-old boy from Albuquerque recently died from the H1N1 flu.

The New Mexico Department of Health said the child died Sunday and that he had a chronic medical condition which put him at higher risk for serious complications from H1N1.

The young boy went to school at Emerson Elementary in southeast Albuquerque.

Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Winston Brooks described the boy as a kind, friendly and bright child with so much to live for.

The boy had been hospitalized at University of New Mexico Hospital since Oct. 11, according to the state's health department.

The state has not revealed what kind of chronic medical condition the boy had.

APS said he hadn't been to school in at least a month.

After school Monday, parents of Emerson students told News 13 they were worried.

"It's very scary because she doesn't have any kind of shot to prevent it. She hasn't gotten vaccinated so I feel like they should come into the schools and vaccinate the children," parent Bambi Vigil said.

Councilors will be available to students and staff at Emerson who want to talk about the tragedy.

APS said it is following state guidelines to stay on top of all H1N1 cases in its schools.

Brooks reminds parents to keep their children home if they are ill.

This year 22 people in New Mexico have died from the H1N1 flu, including six children. Only two of the children who passed away had prior medical conditions.