DECATUR - An elderly area resident has died from H1N1-related complications, according to a Macon County Health Department news release issued Tuesday afternoon. The person, whose name was not released, had underlying health issues that exacerbated the influenza complications.

Citing the family's privacy, local health officials did not provide specific information about the case, but they did encourage those in the five priority groups to consider vaccination.

Doses currently are available for pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers of infants younger than 6 months old, health care and emergency personnel, those 6 months through 24 years old and people 25 through 64 with chronic medical conditions.

These groups continue to be most affected by H1N1, according to county health officials. Currently, the median age of those hospitalized with H1N1 locally is 9.

Local health officials are urging those who experience flulike symptoms to contact their individual health care providers to determine the best course of treatment.

For more information on H1N1 or scheduled vaccination clinics, call the county health department at 423-6988 or visit its Web site, www.

maconcountyhealth.org.

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