Officials confirm 2nd NC death tied to swine flu

by the Associated Press

GREENSBORO (AP) — A Greensboro-based hospital system says a second patient there has died in association with the swine flu.

Officials with Moses Cone Health System said Friday they believe the swine flu aggravated pre-existing medical issues, contributing to the death.

The health system said Wednesday that a separate patient had died. The two deaths are the only fatal cases linked to swine flu confirmed in North Carolina.

Moses Cone said the patient may have also exposed a respiratory therapist at the hospital to the swine flu.

That therapist later came in contact with 33 babies at a hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit.

Officials said the therapist has been recovering at home and that the infants show no sign of infection.