9-year-old Buffalo Student Dies from Swine Flu

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9-year-old Buffalo Student Dies from Swine Flu

By Jenny Rizzo

Swine flu complications claim the life of a second child in Buffalo, this time a 9-year-old girl. Maya Harden had been on life support for several day, but she passed away this morning. Meanwhile, we've also learned tonight that another Buffalo public school student has been in the ICU at Women and Children's Hospital due to swine flu and pnemonia.

Harden attended Charles R. Drew Science Magnet School 59. When she became sick, she received treatment at Women and Children's Hospital in Buffalo. Harden actually shared a room with another Buffalo school student sick from swine flu. 15-year-old Matthew Davis died one week ago from complications due to the swine flu. His funeral was on Thursday.

"I want him to be remembered as a lovable child that he was, for the great smile and full of activities in his heart," said Willie Belton, Davis' stepfather, at the funeral.

Some parents were so worried about their kids contracting the disease that they pulled their children from the classroom during the last week of school. Others had their children tested for the disease.

While most of Western New York's cases of swine flu have been mild, as more and more people catch it, health experts say the number of severe cases will also increase.

"In general this disease is behaving in a mild or moderate fashion. But once you have enough cases, even though a very small percentage get very sick, once we have enough cases, more people will get very ill and it is possible that some may die," said Dr. Anthony Billittier, Erie County Health Commissioner.

Buffalo Public School Superintendent Dr. James Williams released this statement tonight about the death of Harden: "It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that I inform our Buffalo Public Schools family and the entire Buffalo community that we mourn the loss of another student. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time while they struggle with this terrible loss. This disease is a serious health issue that cannot be taken lightly, which is why we ask parents again to remain vigilant in stopping the spread of H1N1. Please have your child wash and sanitize their hands as often as possible. The best way to remain disease-free is to maintain proper hygiene and wash your hands on a regular basis."

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