Coastal director dies at 45

Staff Report
Homer saw its first H1N1 death last week after the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management was notified at 11 a.m. Thursday of the death of a Homer woman from suspected complications of the H1N1 influenza.
Terry Shepherd, 45, died at approximately 2:10 p.m. at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.
Shepherd was first seen at South Peninsula Hospital on Sunday, and subsequently transported by helicopter to Anchorage Monday evening.
A sample to confirm the type of the flu was sent to the Alaska State Virology Lab for testing and verification that the death was attributed to H1N1.
H1N1 vaccine is still available at public health centers throughout the Peninsula.  
The annual flu season hasn’t peaked yet, said Homer Public Health Nurse Judy Dean. At the Homer Public Health Center plenty of vaccine remains available, she said.
“We haven’t yet seen our seasonal influenza peak. It tends to go in waves, and we are expecting there will be a third wave of H1N1 as well,” Dean said. “We still encourage everyone over age six months to get vaccinated. All messages are still applicable, the hand-washing, covering your cough, staying home when ill, and getting vaccinated are still appropriate.”
The good news is that there is plenty of vaccine available. Call ahead to your provider to make sure. Hours at the Public Health Center are 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays to receive the shot.
The Department of Health and Social Services confirmed a middle-aged woman from Homer died Feb. 10, in Anchorage, from flu related illness. A swab was submitted to the Alaska State Virology Lab in Fairbanks where late on Feb. 11 it tested positive for H1N1 influenza.

This death is the thirteenth lab confirmed flu related fatality since July 2009.

The last reported flu related death occurred in Alaska on Nov. 28, 2009.

See story: Shepherd leaves CACS with strong start in 2010

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