Sarpy County, NE - A Sarpy County man in his 20's, who health officials say was in a high-risk group for contracting swine flu, has died. The man's family tells Action 3 News he is 29-year old Steven Gilmore. Gilmore was a top salesman at Markel Mini Cooper in Omaha.
His friend and boss, Russ Durkin, says last week, Gilmore went home sick. A few days later, he ended up in the hospital. Then came the heartbreaking news. "I couldn't believe it, I just couldn't believe it," says Durkin.
The Sarpy County Department of Health and Wellness says an underlying medical condition contributed to Gilmore's death. But in a statement, his family told Action 3 News reporter Dave Roberts, "We are very upset that the health department is reporting that he had an underlying health condition. Steven did not have any other health condition."
We tried to call Sarpy County for more information but they didn't get back to us. In it's release the health department did not name the victim and did not elaborate on his condition.
Conditions typically listed as putting men at 'high risk' include asthma, lupus, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, heart or kidney disease. Pregnant women are also especially vulnerable to the virus. However, the partner of an Omaha man in his 50's who recently died from H1N1 said he only suffered from high blood pressure. In announcing the most recent death in a news release,
Sarpy/Cass Health Director Dianne Kelly said, "We express our deepest sympathy to this man’s family and want them to know that this death affects all of us in the Sarpy/Cass community." She also urged anyone in a high risk group to get vaccinated.
The next Sarpy/Cass vaccination clinic is scheduled for November 19th at Louisville School. Middle and high school children will be vaccinated from 12:30-3:30 while preschool and elementary students and those in high risk groups will be vaccinated from 4:00-6:30pm. A clinic on Saturday November 21st at St. John's School in Plattsmouth is open to all Sarpy and Cass County residents in high risk groups.
Reported by Dave Roberts, droberts@action3news.com
