Pregnant teenage girl killed by swine flu

Published on Thursday 15 October 2009 09:50

A PREGNANT teenage girl from the Borders has died after contracting swine flu.

The Scottish Government said that due to the sudden nature of the death of the mother and her unborn child, a report has gone to the procurator fiscal but no further details were immediately available.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon urged all pregnant woman to take-up the vaccine when it is available.

She said: "The death of this young mother-to-be and her baby is deeply saddening and my thoughts are with her family and friends.

"Medical experts have been telling us that pregnant women are more vulnerable to developing complications after contracting the virus.

"For this reason, they will be among the priority groups for vaccination when the H1N1 vaccine becomes available later this month.

"I would urge all pregnant women to get vaccinated to ensure the maximum protection for themselves and their babies.

"While there is no evidence to suggest that the virus is becoming any more dangerous for the public at large, this tragic death highlights that some groups are at greater risk and should take up the offer of vaccination."

The latest figures about the incidence of influenza A (H1N1) in Scotland have also been published today.

A total of 800 GP practices are now supplying surveillance reporting figures, compared to 58 in previous weeks.

Today's findings are a rate of GP consultations for flu-like illnesses - not necessarily H1N1 - across Scotland of 106.4 per 100,000. This is an increase from last weeks figure of 86.1.

There have been 15 deaths linked to influenza A (H1N1) since the start of the outbreak.