Swine flu deaths in state now total 12

SANTA FE (KRQE) - Three more New Mexicans have died from the H1N1 swine flu, the state Department of Health is reporting.

The deaths, which occurred over the past week, were of a 47-year-old woman from Chaves County, a 59-year-old man from San Juan County and a 53-year-old man who county of residence isn't clear.

Both men had chronic health problems that put them at higher risk from the flu. However the woman did not have.

A total of 12 New Mexicans ranging in age from infancy to 58 now have died from swine flu. The total is evenly divided between those with and without underlying health problems that increased their risks of dying from the flu.

In 2006, the last year for which statistics were readily available, seasonal flu and pneumonia killed 357 New Mexicans, according to the DOH.

Most people who have contracted swine flu are reported to have mild cases although at last count 441 people had been hospitalized. There have been no reports confirming the seasonal flu is present in the state, so all those with the flu are presumed to have H1N1.

As of Wednesday the DOH had ordered more than 14,000 doses of nasal and injectable swine-flu vaccine for distribution to public health offices and health-care providers. Additional orders will be place as supplies become available with an estimated 1.2 million doses reaching the state by the end of January.

The DOH is urging those who want the vaccine to contact their health-care provider. People without insurance or a health-care provider can visit the DOH Web site or call 1-866-681-5872 for a list of seasonal and H1N1 Public Health Office vaccine clinics. http://www.nmmra.org/nmivc/cliniclist.php

The distribution of the initial vaccine doses by county is:

• Bernalillo 15,680
• Catron 40
• Chaves 1,410
• Cibola 560
• Colfax 370
• Curry 1,030
• De Baca 20
• Doña Ana 4,030
• Eddy, 1,140
• Grant 650
• Guadalupe 120
• Harding 0
• Hidalgo 40
• Lea 1,250
• Lincoln 390
• Los Alamos 380
• Luna 540
• McKinley 2,130
• Mora 40
• Otero 1,320
• Quay 160
• Rio Arriba 885
• Roosevelt 390
• San Juan 2,760
• San Miguel 570
• Sandoval 1,270
• Santa Fe 2,765
• Sierra 180
• Socorro 360
• Taos 560
• Torrance 200
• Union 90
• Valencia 900