'Influenza A' Killed 3 in Maryland Home
LUSBY, Md. (WUSA) -- The Calvert County Health Department now says that the "Initial testing of two of four family members in Lusby, three of whom have died, suggests that that the serious lung infection suffered by all four was a complication of seasonal flu." The department released the update in an emailed statement on Wednesday.
According to the health department, the fourth family member remains hospitalized and his/her health is improving.
Samples were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta for more tests, according to the health department.
Again, the department said that the lung infection was isolated to this family, and there are no reports of any significant increase in patients with flu-like symptoms in the county.
According to the health department, the illness started when an 81-year-old Lusby woman developed respiratory symptoms at her home on or about Feb. 23. Her son and two daughters were taking care of her at home when they developed similar respiratory symptoms about 5 days later. The mother died at home on March 1. Her children were then hospitalized. Her 58-year-old son and a 56-year-old daughter later died.
The department is urging residents who have not gotten a seasonal flu vaccine yet to get one from their doctor or by calling Calvert County Health Department at 410-535-5400, ext. 349.