The state Health Department has confirmed that cultures from a Butler County resident who died of flu-like symptoms were positive for the novel H1N1 virus also known as swine flu.

The state did not identify the victim, but former Allegheny County coroner Dr. Cyril H. Wecht confirmed she was Deborah Spangler, 45, of Renfrew, who died Sept. 10. Dr. Wecht performed a private autopsy on her and sent the cultures off for testing.

She is the second Pittsburgh-area swine flu fatality. Earlier this week, the state Health Department said a 27-year-old Allegheny County man had died several weeks ago. He was not identified.