Swine flu deaths in Polk, Sarasota

BARTOW - The Polk County Health Department has confirmed a 31-year-old man is a victim of a swine flu related death.

Health officials did not release any details about the man's death. They did say "pre-existing health conditions often play a role in how individuals react to the flu", but did not indicate if the man had other health problems.

"This is a very sad occurrence and our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of this individual," Dr. Celeste Philip, Acting Medical Director for the Polk County Health Department, said in a news release.

Polk County has to date 72 confirmed cases, according to the health department.

The Sarasota County Health Department today reported its second swine flu related death. The victim was a 47-year-old man.

It's the second death reported in the county in two days. The first was a 22-year-old man.  Details about their deaths have not been released.

Sarasota County has 11 confirmed cases, according to the health department. 

Florida currently has 2188 confirmed cases, with 15 fatalities reported.