(CNN) -- The Calvert County investigation into the flu deaths of 3 family members in Lusby, Maryland, found two of them--a 58 year-old brother and his 56-year-old-sister died of serious lung infections, a complication of seasonal flu.

The CDC already has confirmed the siblings died of influenza A. The strain is still unknown. Their 81-year-old mother, who was being cared for by her three children died at home Thursday of complications from the flu. The surviving sibling, a 51-year-old woman, remains in guarded condition at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., where she is responding to treatment.

Dr. David Rogers, Health Officer of Calvert County, says the investigation into the flu deaths of the three family members in Lusby, Maryland, is continuing. Rogers told CNN while unusual, these were isolated cases and the community at large should not be overly concerned or alarmed.

"This is extremely rare. I think what happened here is that we had an elderly woman who got flu, then she suffered a complication of flu, a severe bacterial pneumonia. Three kids came to provide bedside care and came in close contact. They may not only have caught flu from her but the serious lung infection that she had." Rogers said. "This is a very isolated situation where you have four people in a home, in close contact. This happens not infrequently in elderly people."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 90% of seasonal flu related deaths and more than 60% of flu related hospitalizations in the United States each year are in people 65 or older.

The sister of the deceased 81-year old woman is now also being treated for flu like symptoms at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Dr. Janis Orlowski, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, says the woman was admitted last night and is in fair condition.

"We don't yet know what this is about," Orlowski said. "She has a fever and a cough. They were all together at a funeral last week. Individuals could easily have caught the flu--a large gathering of people, hugging, consoling, possibly sharing a meal."

"If the individuals had the flu at that time it is quite likely that others are showing signs of the flu," says Orlowski. 'If I was in that family and felt ill, I would seek medical attention early."

Orlowski also treated the brother, who passed away at the hospital Monday night.

She says the bacterial infection they had was a staphylococcal (staph) infection, which she calls a super infection. Cultures on the surviving sister are not back yet. The source of the staph is still unknown, but Orlowski says the bacteria is naturally on the body. On skin, in the nose. Most people, she says, don't catch it from someone else.

"The question is did the mother have the staph where it went to the hands of the children and they got infected or did each end up becoming super infected with their own bacteria and we don't know the answer to that. It's likely we will never know."

And rare enough that they looked for other sources.

"We did look for poison, carbon monoxide in the house, did they all ingest something?" Orlowski asks. "It's astonishingly rare, such that we are all looking that other explanations."

Orlowski says over the last several days the hospital emergency room filled with nearly 400 patients. Most had chronic illnesses like heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and liver disease made worse by a bout of flu.

"It's flu season in the mid-Atlantic area so I urge the public to get vaccinated if you have not been, wash your hands, and if you are ill, don't go to school or work. We don't want you to spread the illness."

 

Sounds to me like this is being massaged by PR people, total lack of quality information!!!

 

 

 

LenaSun wrote:
12:32 PM EST

"This is Lena Sun, the reporter who's been writing about the health aspects of this story. To answer many of your questions--which are good!--Ruth Blake DID have a seasonal flu vaccine, according to David Rogers, the Calvert County health officer. None of the others were vaccinated, he said. This year the flu season has gotten off to a late start. All the health officials I've talked to are urging folks to get a flu shot if they haven't done so already".

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/5th-calvert-family-member-at-hospital/2012/03/07/gIQAYZYFxR_allComments.html#comments

 

 

 
HYATTSVILLE, Md. (WUSA) -- On Monday, an emotional memorial service was held for a rising football star who died suddenly after complaining of chest problems this weekend.

Rico Webb was called "the gentle giant." The 6'7," 365 pound offensive lineman stood out as a powerhouse on the field, but was kind and mild-mannered in the hallways of Dematha High School where his classmates remembered him in tears and in laughs.

Classmate Lindell Fulsom said in tears during the memorial service for Webb, "Don't hide your love for somebody 'cause you never know when they'll be gone..."

Teammate Jason Dillon shared a memory that made the crowd laugh: "Sophmore year he got into a fight...it wasn't a massive fight or anything but it was big enough that it got a crowd around and it was pretty funny. This was right before practice. Coach...made him and James walk around for about 45 minutes. They walked around the entire field holding hands."

The high school senior left school Saturday with some flu-like symptoms. Later that night he complained of chest pains and died at the hospital...