RALEIGH, N.C. – Health officials in North Carolina say two pregnant women were among five people who died of pandemic H1N1 flu or similar symptoms in one week.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services would not say where the women lived. All five died during the week of Oct. 25.
Through Sept. 26, North Carolina reported only deaths and hospitalizations attributed to H1N1. On Sept. 27, the state expanded its reporting to cover hospitalizations and deaths attributed to any influenza-like illnesses.
The News & Observer of Raleigh reported that the change was ordered by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Twelve deaths through Sept. 26, were attributed to laboratory-confirmed H1N1 virus. Since Sept. 27, the state says 32 North Carolinians have died from influenza-related viruses, including H1N1.
Full Coverage H1N1 — Click here
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox