ALBANY – The Albany County Department of Health was notified, Monday, that the death of an adolescent last week was linked to H1N1 influenza.  To protect the family, no names are being released.

The victim died from complications related to a longstanding underlying medical condition, and also had a flu-like illness prior to death. Test results confirmed the presence of H1N1

“This news, while troubling, should not be cause for alarm”, said Albany County Health Commissioner Dr. James Crucetti.  “The H1N1 virus continues to be a predominately mild illness and this fatality does not mean the H1N1virus has changed to cause more severe illness.”

The majority of children who have died from H1N1 in the United States have had an underlying medical condition that puts them at increased risk for complications, as was the case with the Albany County youth.