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07/10/2009
Child Dies From Swine Flu Infection
The tragic death of a local child who was suffering from swine flu has been confirmed.
NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has today expressed his deepest sympathy to the family of the unnamed young child who died yesterday.
He said that the victim was confirmed as having swine flu, but the exact cause of death of the child is not yet known.
The Minister (pictured) said: "It is desperately sad when a child dies and my thoughts and sympathies are with the child's family.
"I would ask everyone to respect the privacy of the family at this very sad time. No further information will be given out at this stage," he said.
"I realise that parents of young children may be worried by this news.
"I can assure parents that medical experts from the Public Health Agency have been providing advice to GPs who may be contacted by parents whose children may have been in contact with this child," the Minister continued.
However, he said that incidents of swine flu in Northern Ireland are continuing to rise.
"We must expect further increases in cases in the weeks ahead.
"Swine flu remains a major public health threat but we are well prepared and have been planning for a pandemic for some time."
Also commenting, the NI Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride said: "Any parents who have concerns that their child may have symptoms of swine flu should immediately contact their GP or out-of-hours service for advice and assessment.
"For parents of children who may have been in contact with this child, I would like to assure them that if their child has no symptoms of swine flu and is otherwise healthy, there is no need for antiviral treatment."
Two people from Northern Ireland have died from the virus and just last month a baby with swine flu died in NI - but a a pre-existing heart condition was determined as the cause.
Dr McBride continued: "For the vast majority of people, swine flu remains a mild illness, however, some people will require hospital care and in some cases admission to intensive care. All of us in the health service have been planning and preparing to deal with any increased pressure on our services."
(BMcC/KMcA)
NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has today expressed his deepest sympathy to the family of the unnamed young child who died yesterday.
He said that the victim was confirmed as having swine flu, but the exact cause of death of the child is not yet known.
The Minister (pictured) said: "It is desperately sad when a child dies and my thoughts and sympathies are with the child's family.
"I would ask everyone to respect the privacy of the family at this very sad time. No further information will be given out at this stage," he said.
"I realise that parents of young children may be worried by this news.
"I can assure parents that medical experts from the Public Health Agency have been providing advice to GPs who may be contacted by parents whose children may have been in contact with this child," the Minister continued.
However, he said that incidents of swine flu in Northern Ireland are continuing to rise.
"We must expect further increases in cases in the weeks ahead.
"Swine flu remains a major public health threat but we are well prepared and have been planning for a pandemic for some time."
Also commenting, the NI Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride said: "Any parents who have concerns that their child may have symptoms of swine flu should immediately contact their GP or out-of-hours service for advice and assessment.
"For parents of children who may have been in contact with this child, I would like to assure them that if their child has no symptoms of swine flu and is otherwise healthy, there is no need for antiviral treatment."
Two people from Northern Ireland have died from the virus and just last month a baby with swine flu died in NI - but a a pre-existing heart condition was determined as the cause.
Dr McBride continued: "For the vast majority of people, swine flu remains a mild illness, however, some people will require hospital care and in some cases admission to intensive care. All of us in the health service have been planning and preparing to deal with any increased pressure on our services."
(BMcC/KMcA)
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08 October 2009
Second Swine Flu Child Dies
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19 June 2009
Irish Swine Flu Alert Continues
There is news today of a further infection with swine flu in the Irish Republic - this time involving a primary age school child. It comes on foot of yesterday's developments which saw the Department of Health confirming another case of swine flu in Northern Ireland.
Irish Swine Flu Alert Continues
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be rather cloudy with scattered sleet and snow showers but mostly rain near the North coast. Feeling bitterly cold in fresh or strong northerly wind. Maximum temperature 4 °C.Tonight:Clear intervals and wintry showers, most frequent in the north but mostly of rain along the North Coast. A cold night with risk of icy stretches. Minimum temperature -1 °C.
