A man died in Lincoln County from the H1N1 flu, the health department said Wednesday afternoon.

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The man was in his 30s, according to a brief statement from Shannon Vanderheiden, the director of the West Central District Health Department headquartered in North Platte.

No other details of the death were given, except Vanderheiden said that "at this time there is no evidence of an underlying health issue that would have increased the victim's risk of for death related to H1N1."

"H1N1 is a serious illness that can affect both healthy individuals and those with chronic illness," Vanderheiden said. "My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends."

The man is the ninth Nebraskan to die from the H1N1 flu since Aug. 30. The eighth victim passed away Nov. 3 in Omaha.

That victim was John Bernardi, 58. He spent six days in the hospital before he died. Bernardi had recently returned home from a vacation from Branson, Mo. and started feeling ill the last day of the trip, according to a report from the Nebraska Radio Network He was the branch manager of a library in Omaha.

The deaths are grim reminders of the potential severity of H1N1 flu, as vaccinations begin in North Platte’s schools.

Overall, the H1N1 virus appears to be waning. H1N1 illness in Nebraska and the United States continues to be similar to seasonal influenza, with the vast majority of patients having mild illness, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said.

Vaccinations can be obtained daily at the health department in North Platte, 111 N. Dewey. The clinic opens at 8:30 a.m.

The highest priority is for:

-- Pregnant women

-- Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than six months of age

-- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel

-- All people from six months through 24 years of age

-- Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

St. Pat’s students will be vaccinated Nov. 18.

Families of students were instructed to print permission forms, sign and submit them to the school prior to the vaccination clinic. Vaccinations begin at 12:20 p.m. with preschoolers.

At North Platte public schools, vaccinations will begin Monday, Nov. 23 and occur at two schools a day to students whose parents give consent, associate school superintendent Dan Twarling has said.

There are 4,100 North Platte public school students. The rate of absenteeism is about normal for this time of year, although it spiked in early October.

It's estimated that nearly a quarter-million doses of H1N1 vaccine have been distributed in Nebraska. The state is expected to receive a million doses, the HHS said.

For more information from the health department, click HERE.

Animals too

At the end of October, a USDA laboratory confirmed a ferret in Nebraska died of H1N1 infection. Cats have also been found with the virus, but not dogs, the Humane Society reports.

Animals who have H1N1 influenza have shown typical signs of respiratory illness such as lethargy, decreased appetite, fever, runny nose and eyes, sneezing, coughing and changes in breathing, including labored breathing.

Crack the window

Health officials advise people to get fresh air.

During the winter the dry heat from indoor heating systems dries out mucous membranes and makes people more susceptible to viruses. If possible, during the day, crack open a window or two to get some fresh air relief.