Swine flu has claimed the life of another Lee County resident, a 57-year-old female, officials reported last Wednesday.

That brings the total swine flu related deaths to three in Lee, bucking initial ideas that the very young and old were the only age groups susceptible to complication from the H1N1 virus.

Lee County Health Department spokeswoman Jennifer James-Mesloh said it is unknown if the woman had any pre-existing medical conditions that contributed to her death.

“If she had any (pre-existing) conditions we don’t know,” she said. “To say she did or didn’t, we can’t get that level of information.”

As national reports are beginning to indicate that the forthcoming swine flu vaccine will be delayed until October, possibly December, local health departments are still in the dark about how many doses of the vaccination will be available.

James-Mesloh said the LCHD is already working on its plan to distribute the vaccine despite the continued uncertainty.

Officials are estimating about 190,000 vaccinations, according to James-Mesloh, and children 6 months to 24 years old, pregnant women and first responders will be the first to receive the vaccines.

“We’re still in the process of putting together a vaccination plan,” she said. “These things are subject to change, of course, but we’re looking at distributing the vaccines at high schools, Monday through Thursday, and all day Saturday.”

A 51-year-old man died in July, and a 53-year-old man died in early August from swine flu related complications.

The LCHD does not know, at this time, if there are any pending test results for swine flu related deaths in Lee County.

Officials are, however, stressing good hygiene and to stay home from work and school if one feels feeling ill.

Statewide the number of swine flu deaths are up to 59. Other deaths verified by state laboratories include: male, 61, of Alachua County; female, 19, of Brevard County; female, 31, of Clay County; female, 84, of Miami-Dade County; female, 33, of Duval County; female, 43, of Duval County; male, 46, of Hillsborough County; female, 12, of Palm Beach County; female, 54, of Taylor County; and male, 50, of Volusia County.