GVSU student, 33, dies from H1N1

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - John Prince, his family said, was a scholar.

A one-time jingle writer for a large Chicago ad agency, he lost his job to the economic downturn. His thirst for knowledge brought him back home to West Michigan. He was taking classes at Grand Valley State University with an eye on a degree in social work.

Prince was a "true intellectual," said his sister, Sharon Spoelhof. "Loved to debate politics. One of the smartest guys I've ever known."

Last week, Prince became sick and was diagnosed with H1N1. Like most healthy people, he seemed to be getting better, until last Sunday, when, family members told 24 Hour News 8, he became incoherent.

His father took Prince to the Spectrum Butterworth Emergency Room.

"He possibly could have picked it up at Grand Valley. Or it could have been something he picked up at the grocery store on a shopping cart," Spoelhof said.

Family members said doctors told them Prince was fighting encephalitis brought on by the H1N1 virus.

The Grand Valley State student died Thursday night, four days before his 34th birthday.

Despite their ongoing message that H1N1 is not a serious risk to most healthy people, Prince's family said health care providers need to get out a clearer message.

"There's not alot of knowledge out there," Spoelhof said. "I called my doctor, my son's doctor and they all told me a different thing about H1N1. People need to know that this is serious. And that it can affect people of all age groups. Not just infants or the elderly."

Late Friday afternoon, Kent County Health Department officials sent out a news release offering their condolences.

“We express our deepest sympathies to the victim’s family and friends,” Cathy Raevsky, the Administrative Health Officer for the Kent County Health Department, said in a statement. “This is the second time this month that influenza has caused a fatality, and this illustrates why we need to take the virus seriously. While the vast majority of people who catchthe virus will recover fully and without complications, that’s not always the case.”

The first victim was a 53 year-old woman with underlying health concerns.

Prince did not live on the Grand Valley Campus. School official are putting out a letter to student and faculty advising them of the situation.