Fla. Health Officials Report Swine Flu Death

Florida health officials say an 80-year-old woman has died after contracting the swine flu.

Lake County Health Department spokeswoman Sheri Hutchinson confirmed the death Tuesday. She says the woman had recently traveled to California so it is difficult to determine whether she picked up the virus during her trip or in Florida.

Hutchinson says this is Lake County's first Swine Flu death this year. She says officials were "shocked" because flu cases -- including the swine flu -- are typically diagnosed in the fall and winter.

Health officials are encouraging residents to get vaccinated. They said the best protection is the flu vaccine.

Swine flu, also known as H1N1, was declared a pandemic in 2009 by healthcare organizations.