Homer Alaska - News

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services confirmed today that a middle-aged woman from Homer who died Wednesday tested positive for H1N1 influenza. A swab test was done yesterday by the Alaska State Virology Lab, Fairbanks.

The family of Terry Shepherd, 44, had said earlier that she had H1N1. Shepherd had been the executive director of the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies since October and had moved to Homer last fall with her husband from Moab, Utah.

Because of medical privacy laws, DHSS cannot identify the flu death in Homer as being Shepherd.

Shepherd was admitted to South Peninsula Hospital on Sunday and diagnosed with flu and complications of pneumonia. She was medevaced to Providence Medical Center, Anchorage, on Monday, and died Feb. 10. DHSS had said on Thursday that a Homer woman had influenza A. A quick test can determine if a patient has influenza A or B, but further lab analysis is needed to identify a flu virus as being H1N1. All type A influenza tested in Alaska since the H1N1 pandemic began last spring has been confirmed to be H1N1.

Shepherd's death is the 13th confirmed flu fatality in Alaska since July 2009. The last confirmed flu related death was Nov. 28, 2009, said DHHS spokesman Greg Wilkinson. Flu season often peaks in February or March, but can last until early spring. DHHS documented up to 55 incidents weekly of H1N1 through November, but the numbers had declined to less than five by the end of the year. However, hospitalizations for pneumonia and flu have ranged from 35 to 54 a week statewide since January.

Vaccines for seasonal and H1N1 flu are available at the Homer Public Health Center and private clinics. Scheduled vaccine clinics at the Public Health Center are 1:30-3:30 p.m. today and next week from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.

The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies is an environmental education organization that runs programs through the Carl E. Wynn Nature Center on East Skyline Drive, its Lake Street headquarters and at its Peterson Bay field station.

Shepherd started at CACS in October 2009 and moved to Homer from Moab, Utah, where she was executive director of Red Rock Forests, an advocacy group for forests and watersheds.

Shepherd grew up in a military family. After her father retired, her family settled in Tampa, Fla., where Shepherd graduated from Jefferson High School and the University of Tampa. She received a master of arts in political science from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, and a master of science in environmental studies from the University of Montana, Missoula.

Shepherd is survived by her husband, Harold Shepherd, and two stepsons. Allen said a memorial service will probably be held in Homer at a time and place to be announced.

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.com.