Swine Flu Death Prompts Concern

Another person from Maryland has died as a result of the h1n1 virus -- or swine flu.

The only information that's been released about the victim is that it was an adult from the Baltimore area.

If your children were vaccinated this past fall, they’re safe – but health officials say h1n1 is still around -- and still dangerous. ‘We in fact are seeing an uptick in the Southeast that's been there in a smaller way since January, in fact, but it really is up now,’ said Dr. Anne Bailowitz, the acting chief medical officer for Baltimore City.

The city's health department is making a renewed push to have as many people vaccinated as possible. Maryland's most recent death serves as an urgent reminder. ‘This is what the disease causes; this is why you get protected with vaccination,’ Dr Bailowitz said.

The most recent death brings Maryland’s swine flu death toll to 45. It may not be the pandemic many experts were predicting -- but then again, it is clearly not over yet. ‘I cannot emphasize strongly enough that pandemics typically run two to three years. This has only been barely year one,’ Dr. Bailowitz said.

If you live in the city and you're interested in a free swine flu shot you can call 211. Health officials say anyone from six months and up can and should be vaccinated.