Swine flu virus claims fifth Scots victim

Published on Saturday 8 August 2009 19:53

A 26-YEAR-OLD man yesterday became the fifth person to die in Scotland after contracting the swine flu virus.

The man, who died in the early hours of the morning in Glasgow's Victoria Infirmary, had significant underlying health problems.

The Scottish Government said he contracted the virus on Monday and was admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit on 6 August.

Nicola Sturgeon, the Health Secretary, moved to reassure the public that the death did not mean that the swine flu (H1N1) virus was mutating into a more dangerous strain.

The young man's family has asked for his name not to be made public at this time.

Sturgeon said: "I extend my sincere condolences to the patient's family at this very sad time. While this tragic death shows that in some cases the H1N1 virus can cause complications, I would nevertheless like to stress that this does not mean the virus is getting more dangerous.

"The great majority of people contracting H1N1 are continuing to experience mild symptoms.

"People should therefore continue to take basic hygiene precautions to prevent the spread of infection and, if they do start to show symptoms, contact NHS 24 or their GP."

Scotland saw the first British swine flu death when Jacqui Fleming, 38, from Glasgow, died in June. Her newborn son, Jack, also died, although his death was not related to the illness. Since then, there have been 36 deaths in England.

Some experts have suggested that the pandemic may have already peaked in Scotland. The most recent Scottish Government figures last week reported that the rate of GP consultations for flu-like symptoms fell from 55 to 48.4 per 100,000 people a week.

Meanwhile, a grieving father yesterday told how his two-year-old daughter died of suspected meningitis hours after a doctors' receptionist suggested that the toddler probably had swine flu.

Paul Sewell, 21, of Norwich, said he was not allowed to speak to a GP about his daughter Georgia Keeling's condition, but was instead told to ring a swine flu advice line.