A 33-year-old Washington Court House man has become Fayette County’s first H1N1 fatality. Christopher Allen Ward, 33, died on Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Mt. Carmel West hospital, Columbus, as a result of complications from H1N1.

“At this time, we are not aware of any underlying health conditions,” said Karen Lowe, Fayette County deputy health commissioner, that could have lead to the man’s death. “Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family.”

Family members told the Brown News Service that Ward was diagnosed on Monday with H1N1 and admitted to the hospital Friday with H1N1 and pneumonia. He was transported via medical helicopter to Mount Carmel on Saturday.

The funeral service will be held Thursday at 5 p.m. at Morrow Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Esto Haithcock officiating. Burial will be at the family’s convenience. Friends may call at the Morrow Funeral Home on Thursday from 2-5 p.m.

Ward was employed at the Sugar Creek Packing Company in Washington Court House.

He is survived by his mother, Estella Kellough of Bainbridge; his wife, Kim Penwell Ward; a son, Dustin Penwell Ward; two daughters, Dakendra Ward and Mackenzie Ward, all of Washington Court House;, two brothers, Randy (Tracy) Newland of Bainbridge and Scott (Ashley) Forsha of Washington Court House; a sister, Kay (Butch) Thompson of Bainbridge; special friends, Jason (Regina) McComis of Washington Court House and his mother and father-in-law, Chuck (Cheryl) Woolever; a brother-in-law, Bobby Penwell of Washington Court House; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions can be made to the family at 815 S. Main St., Washington Court House. For more information, contact, Jennifer Johnson at 740-571-6595.

While this death is the county’s first, the virus is widespread throughout the county, Lowe said. Efforts to vaccinate targeted groups are continuing.

The Fayette County Health Department will be holding another H1N1 flu clinic from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday at the new Washington Middle School on Elm Street in Washington Court House. This flu vaccine is free.

Only the following targeted groups will be eligible to obtain the vaccine:

• Pregnant women

• Children age 6 months through 24 years

• Health care workers (a work ID must be provided)

• Caregivers and parents of infants less than 6 months old

• Individuals age 25 through 64 with chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, pulmonary disease (including asthma), kidney disease, liver disease, neurological disease and those immunosuppressed. This group does not include those with high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Children under age 10 who have been vaccinated for H1N1, should have a second dose 28 days from the first dose. Those children who have been vaccinated are not yet ready for the second dose if they had the first dose from the Fayette County Health Department.