Ministry of Health confirms that Anastasia “Stacy” Ramkissoon died of H1N1. This is the fourth death attributed to the H1N1 influenza virus for the year to date.
Ramkisson, 28, died at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mount Hope, on Saturday night after being confirmed as having the H1N1 virus. That was more than two weeks after being admitted to the hospital for pains related to her pregnancy. Her baby died a day after she gave birth.
The post-mortem examination determined her cause of death to be viral associated pneumonia.
The Health Ministry is once again urging the public to receive a vaccination to protect themselves from the virus.
A release from the ministry said, “vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent influenza or reduce its severity in persons at high risk of complications.
Groups urged to get the vaccine are:
• Health care workers
• Children aged six months to five years
• Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
• People who are 65-years and older
• Persons with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart, lung and kidney disease.
As well, the ministry urged the public to practice good personal hygiene to prevent the spread of respiratory viral infections.
Simple measures such as covering the mouth when coughing and sneezing, disposing of used tissue paper, and frequent hand-washing are very effective in limiting the transmission of influenza and other viral illnesses,” the release said.
T&T Guardian understands that there is another paitent being treated for H1N1 in Mount Hope.