Pregnant Brunswick County woman dies of H1N1 virus

Brunswick County’s health director said the death of a new mother is the county’s first related to the H1N1 virus.

Fred Michael said the woman was pregnant when she tested positive about a month and a half ago for the swine flu at Brunswick Community Hospital.

After doctors transferred her to New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Michael said the woman was sent to Duke to get her baby as healthy as possible. He said doctors delivered the child over the weekend; just days before the woman died.

Michael said the Brunswick County Health Department is offering the H1N1 vaccine to pregnant women if they read and sign a consent form. He said several pregnant women have received the vaccine since the CDC suggested the protocol earlier this week.