While the number of confirmed swine flu cases in Texas stands at 88, a 33-year-old Rio Grand Valley woman became the first American citizen to die from the illness.
Health officials said Harlingen resident Judy Trunnell died Tuesday after giving birth to a healthy baby girl.
TRUNNELL
Trunnell had been hospitalized for two weeks and had what health officials called “chronic underlying health conditions.” They would not elaborate on what those conditions were.
The baby, delivered by Cesarean section, is reportedly healthy and doing well.
Trunnell was a teacher at Travis Elementary School in the Mercedes Independent School District, about 15 miles west of Harlingen. Mercedes Superintendent Walter Watson said Trunnell would be missed.
“It brings tears to my eyes to know she won’t be with our children or hers,” Watson said.
He said it was his understanding Trunnell died after being taken off life support. Hospital officials would not release any information due to federal privacy regulations.
Trunnell was the first American citizen and the second person in the United States to die from swine flu. The first, a toddler from Mexico City who also had underlying health problems, died last week at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.
According to the latest statistics released by the Texas Department of State Health Services, there have been 88 cases of H1N1, or swine flu, confirmed in Texas. Of those, 87 have been Texas residents.
Texas counties with confirmed cases:
Bexar 4
Brazoria 1
Cameron 2
Collin 1
Comal 4
Dallas 8
Denton 1
El Paso 7
Fort Bend 4
Guadalupe 13
Harris 8
Hidalgo 1
Johnson 4
Matagorda 1
Montgomery 1
Nueces 1
Starr 2
Tarrant 22
Travis 2
Non-Resident 1
The earliest known onset of swine flu in Texas was April 11. The most recent known onset of the illness was April 28.
By: John Pape on Wed, May 6, 2009
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