Swine Flu Coma Mum Gets Home

Although still very weak, swine flu victim, an Omagh woman who was stricken with swine flu before Christmas, has received an emotional welcome as she returned home to her family.

Shirley Hamilton, was finally reunited with her new son Thomas and 12-year-old twins, Leanne and Michelle.

Shirley, 36, was first admitted to the Erne Maternity Unit on October 12 after going into labour prematurely. She remained in the hospital throughout the week and had a caesarean section on Friday October 16.

Shirley complained of feeling unwell and was rushed to the High Dependency Unit in a critical condition with collapsed lungs.

That night she was transferred to the Craigavon Area Hospital where she was immediately diagnosed with swine flu. Her family at this stage were told to 'prepare for the worst.'

She was later transferred to the Royal Brompton Hospital in London where she remained in an induced coma on a life support machine for five weeks before then being transferred back to NI shortly before Christmas.

She is now well on the way to recovery and is at home for the first time since the birth of her healthy son.

Swine flu cases are now much reduced across NI. Last Thursday, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride said: "There has been a further decrease in swine flu detections and also been a reduction in Respiratory Syncytial Virus, which can cause flu-like symptoms, for the third consecutive week.

"GP consultation rates remain below the NI threshold for seasonal influenza activity and are now lower than this time last year.

"Antiviral prescriptions have also decreased and the actual numbers issued are now very low compared with at the height of the outbreak," he said.

"Swine flu has now been circulating within NI since May 2009. We have seen two waves of infection from the virus and our planning and preparation has meant that the likelihood of a further wave has been significantly reduced.

"This is due in part to the extent in which the virus has already circulated in the community, and also as a result of the very successful vaccination programme," he continued.

Urging continued vigilance, he concluded: "We know from experience of previous pandemics that flu viruses can be unpredictable so we can not completely rule out the possibility of a further wave. We will therefore continue to monitor the situation carefully."

See: Swine Flu Mum Battles For Life

(BMCC/GK)