HAUPPAUGE – Suffolk County Health Services Commissioner Dr. Humayun Chaudhry Tuesday announced the death of an adult confirmed to have swine flu, making this the fourth death associated with the H1N1 virus in the county. 

A man from the Town of Smithtown between the ages of 45 and 55 had been hospitalized since mid-June for multiple acute and chronic underlying medical problems. He died on June 30.

The New York State Department of Health confirmed a few weeks ago that the man had the novel H1N1 Influenza A virus. There have been 313 deaths worldwide from this virus, according to the World Health Organization.

Dr. Chaudhry advised residents to do their very best to protect themselves and to help prevent the spread of flu-like illness.  “We know this virus is not going away and people with underlying medical problems, pregnancy, or certain risk factors such as obesity need to be particularly vigilant about seeking medical care should flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath) develop.”