3 swine flu-related deaths reported in Kansas

Eds: APNewsNow. Incorporates material from BC-IN--FFA Convention-Flu Death.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Kansas health officials say three more residents who had been diagnosed with swine flu have died, bringing the state's total to 12.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Thursday none of the three had underlying health conditions that put them at greater risk of complications from the H1N1 virus.

KDHE identifies the three as a 52-year-old woman from the Wichita area whose death was reported Tuesday, and a 39-year-old Wyandotte County man and 51-year-old Topeka-area woman whose deaths were reported Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the mother of a Wichita-area girl who died Sunday while attending the FFA national convention in Indianapolis says her daughter had contracted swine flu. Shelly Merklein, of Kiowa (KEYE'-oh-wah'), says her 14-year-old daughter, Lauren, had a preexisting heart condition.

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On the Net:

Kansas Department of Health and Environment: http://www.kdheks.gov.