KINGSTON – Ulster County Thursday reported its first swine flu associated fatality.

The individual was a man from Saugerties who had been hospitalized with underlying medical conditions in addition to the flu.

County Executive Michael Hein expressed his sympathies.  “These are one of those absolute human tragedies and we feel for the friends and family of the individual impacted,” he said. “We will continue to partner with the local medical community and do everything possible to reduce the spread of this disease.”

Health officials said the best way to prevent the spread of all forms of flu is for individuals and families to continue to exercise precautions, such as frequent hand washing, staying home and keeping children at home when ill, and contacting your family physician if flu symptoms are present.

This is not the first fatality linked to swine flu. Three women died in Orange County from swine flu related illness. Two were from the Newburgh area and one was a Pike County, PA resident who came to the hospital in Port Jervis for care.