Two Yuba County residents die after contracting swine flu

The global swine flu pandemic has exacted a toll on the Yuba-Sutter region, with two Yuba County residents dying within the last week from complications of the H1N1 virus.

Isela J. Morales, 47, of Olivehurst, died Friday at Fremont Medical Center, while Johnny Duerksen Sr., 32, also of Olivehurst, died Thursday, also at Fremont.

Both residents, who at one time shared a room while on life support at the hospital, had fallen ill weeks earlier but weren't diagnosed with the virus until they were admitted to a hospital.

Public health officials in Yuba and Sutter counties said they didn't have any verified deaths yet as a result of swine flu, though the illness has sickened several people in the region and thousands nationwide.

Duerksen, a painter, fell ill Sept. 21, and his condition worsened over the next week, said his wife, Kelie Duerksen, 30.

"I was just thinking they'll treat him, and he'll get better," said Duerksen, who has six children with her late husband. "There was no doubt he wasn't going to get better."

Morales, a homemaker and focal point for her family, became sick Oct. 3, and was also initially diagnosed with pneumonia before the swine flu was confirmed. Daughter Isela M. Morales, 28, said she believes her mother's asthma contributed to her illness.

"It was the asthma, she had a lot of scar tissue in her lungs," she said. "But before she'd always get sick and then she'd get better."

Survivors in both families said their loved one's death has compelled them to tell people to get checked by a doctor immediately if they're sick.

"It's not a joke at all," Kelie Duerksen said.