Double Tragedy For Swine Flu Family, As Baby Dies Of 'Complications'

The two-week old baby of a British woman, who became the first swine flu fatality outside the Americas, has died yesterday.

Jacqueline Fleming, 38, from Carnwadric in south Glasgow, died at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

A fortnight earlier she had given birth prematurely to a baby boy Jack. The NHS in Glasgow confirmed he died on Monday in a special care baby unit at the same hospital from complications. An NHS spokesman said the baby did not die from swine flu.

Fleming had underlying health problems, and died in intensive care at the hospital. The birth was induced nearly three months early because of her critical condition.

Baby Jack's father, Jacqueline's partner William McCann, last night said it was a "distressing and difficult time" for the family.

He said: "My beautiful son was born on the first of June 2009, 11 weeks early.

"He suffered from a number of complications and despite his brave fight he passed away earlier this evening at the Special Care baby Unit at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley."

A statement from NHS Greater Glasgow said: "Earlier this evening, baby Jack, the son of Jacqueline Fleming and her partner William McCann, tragically passed away."

She leaves two other children, one boy aged 18 and another at primary school. Her family said: "Our whole family is absolutely devastated and we are doing everything we can to support Jacqueline's two sons and her partner.

"Jacqueline has been ill in hospital for a number of weeks but nothing can prepare you for such shattering news."

Scotland Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "The death of baby Jack, especially coming so soon after the death of his mother, is a tragedy and I extend my deepest condolences to their family and friends for this unimaginably painful loss."

GPs in Scotland have confirmed a further 71 cases of swine flu, with the total now reaching 569. All of the new cases were in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS area.

Meanwhile, in England the Health Protection Agency confirmed another 59 cases.

(JM/BMcC)