18th Kansas death from H1N1 reported

A 48-year-old woman from the Topeka area has died from infection with the H1N1 virus, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said today. Hers is the 18th Kansas death associated with H1N1.

The Topeka area includes Jackson, Jefferson, Osage, Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties.

The woman's death was reported to KDHE on Saturday; she did not have underlying health conditions that would have placed her at greater risk for severe complications from influenza.