67% of victims already ill [H1N1 in Japan]

[FarCenter]

The Yomiuri Shimbun

Sixty-seven percent of people who died after being infected with the new strain of influenza had underlying illnesses, according to the Heath, Labor and Welfare Ministry.

Of the 48 people who have died in Japan from the H1N1 influenza between Aug. 15 and Wednesday, 32 had illnesses including asthma and diabetes, according to the ministry, indicating that people with existing health problems have a much higher risk of death from the new flu.

Of the 48 people who died, 18 were above the age of 60 and all of them had underlying health problems.

Children between 1 to 14 years old account for about 80 percent of patients hospitalized for new flu, and eight of the 11 children who have died had no underlying health conditions.

While many elderly people die from seasonal influenza, the number of deaths of healthy children from the new flu is striking.

Thirty-three people died during this period, meaning the death rate was below 0.001 percent.

<snip>http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20091107TDY02304.htm

[Chemisse]

1. That is a really tiny death rate.

Not that that is any consolation to a parent who lost his child, of course. But it is much lower than that of the seasonal flu.

I'm curious what the death rate is on a larger scale, from all the data we have so far.

[irislake]

2. Some of the others who died

may have had Vitamin D deficiency. Just a hunch.

[vadawg]

3. roflmao, zing