Teen's death tied to H1N1

CHICAGO (AP) – With flu activity increasing across the nation and in Illinois, health officials confirmed Friday that a 14-year-old suburban Chicago high school student’s death was related to swine flu.

Michelle Fahle, a Naperville North High School student, died Thursday, bringing the state’s total swine flu deaths to 20. The school’s Web site called her death sudden.

Health officials say 37 states are now reporting widespread swine flu cases. In Chicago, a private school canceled classes Friday. 

About 100 students were sent home with flu symptoms this week.

DuPage County Health Department spokesman Dave Hass said the county coroner is conducting tests to see if other medical problems contributed to the girl’s death. He said the results would not be available until later this month.

“We want people to be calm and not overreact to this,” Hass said. “They should go about their normal activities. They should watch very carefully for influenza-like symptoms.”

He reminded people to be vigilant about washing their hands and staying home if they feel flu-like symptoms.

Swine flu — also known as H1N1 influenza virus — has symptoms including fevers of at least 100 degrees, coughs, headaches and body aches. Diarrhea and vomiting also have been reported.

Naperville North High School officials said Friday they are seeking direction from the health department and that they expect to provide a letter to staff, students and parents. The school’s Web site had more details under the heading “Update on Michelle Fahle’s Death.”

“We were sad to learn ... that one of our students passed away suddenly,” the Web site read. “We are in contact with the family and when we know more and are authorized to provide more information we will do so.”

School officials said social workers and guidance counselors would be on hand for students and parents who had concerns. A Facebook site launched to honor Fahle urged students to wear her favorite colors — “black and lime green/purple” — to school on Tuesday in her memory.

Since April, three other swine flu deaths in the state have been in children younger than 19. The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 23 new swine flu hospitalizations in its weekly update. That brings the number of people hospitalized with swine flu in Illinois since April to 471.