Hamilton has experienced its first death of a person with the H1N1 virus.

Public health officials said a 41-year-old Hamilton female died this week who had the H1N1 virus. It is not known if the virus was a contributing factor in the death. Health officials said the individual had underlying health conditions.

This is the first death in Hamilton of a person with the virus since it was discovered in Mexico a few months ago.

Chris Mackie, Hamilton’s associate medical officer of health, confirmed there are a few other people with the virus in hospital, but he could not be more specific.

Health officials don’t know how the person contracted the virus, but they are not investigating whether it is travel related or not.

So far Hamilton has 46 confirmed laboratory cases of the virus, and 44 cases in schools where health officials believe the individuals have the virus. Health officials recently confirmed one case of the virus in a student at a mountain school.

“If you thought influenza wasn’t a problem before, this is a bit of a wake-up call for you,” said Dr. Mackie. “This is why we have been reporting on the influenza pandemic. This is why influenza pandemics are serious.”

The death, though, will not change how local health officials will monitor and react to the virus, said Dr. Mackie. Residents are still encouraged to protect themselves, eat healthy, sneeze into your sleeve, and if you are sick, stay home from work and daycare.

In Ontario, there have been seven deaths from the virus, while 28 people with the virus remain in hospital. There are 2,665 confirmed cases of people with swine flu. The majority of the cases are mild, with people experiencing symptoms similar to seasonal flu. Across Canada, there have been 21 deaths and 7,775 confirmed cases.

The United States has the most cases with 27,717, and 127 deaths, while Mexico, where the virus was first reported, has 8,279 and 116 deaths. Australia is experiencing a rapid spread of the virus with 4,038 confirmed cases, but only seven deaths.

Dr. Mackie is hopeful the virus has peaked and the number of cases is inching downward. He bases his beliefs on Dr. Marek Smieja, infectious diseases physician at McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Hospital, who is conducting a weekly survey of 1,000 people across Canada.

The results showed an upward trend in the virus from May to mid-June, but the latest survey pointed in a downward trend.

“We may have turned the corner,” said Dr. Mackie. “It could be a combination of the weather. But we don’t know enough to say for sure.”

But Dr. Mackie points out that residents should get used to the H1N1 virus. Now that is has been identified, it could remain in the Hamilton area for a long time to come.