More information on H1N1

Iowans learned Tuesday that the state's first death linked to the H1N1 flu virus claimed a middle-aged person from Eastern Iowa.

That's all we learned about the case. Not the person's sex. Not the age. Not the city or county of residence. Nor any idea about the person's physical condition or any medical problems at the time of infection.

Why? State and federal laws on communicable disease state require protection of the victim's family's privacy.

Does the public need to know more? We think so. Especially because H1N1 cases are expected to increase substantially by early fall.

Certainly, we respect the need for confidentiality for the family. But the information released Tuesday was so sparse that it raised questions instead of awareness and understanding.

Would confidentiality have been comprised by providing the victim's condition, age, sex and at least the county of residence?

Even county public health departments don't necessarily get such information unless it involves or directly affects their county, according to Curtis Dickson, director, Linn County Public Health Department.

Would he and his staff like to know more?

“Yes, in my opinion, it's particularly important for public health officials to know more about this death, what the particulars of the case might be. At this point, that's the state's call,” Dickson said.

He agrees that confidentiality should be maintained but “we also want to be sure the public is well-informed and can take the action that's needed.”

And if federal health officials' predictions are accurate, the need for prompt, reliable information will be increasing steadily in the next few weeks. H1N1, which emerged in March and officially was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on June 9, has continued to spread during the normally flu-free summer months. Keep in mind that the pandemic status refers to the rate the disease spreads, not its severity. Deaths have been relatively rare so far.

Vaccines are being produced but general availability isn't expected until mid-October. Most schools open sometime this month. That could be a problem.

Dickson said county officials are working on a major public information campaign with a focus on prevention.

They're also planning mass vaccination clinics, probably in schools first. Unlike most other flu viruses, H1N1 targets children and young adults more often than the elderly or older adults.

All of which supports the case that providing more information serves the public interest and prevents panic.

More on H1N1: Visit www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/