Third person in Lothians dies after contracting swine flu

Published on Friday 20 November 2009 10:14

A THIRD person in the Lothians has died from swine flu, it has emerged.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon has offered her condolences to the family of the patient, who had an underlying health condition.

Despite the death, the Lothians remains one of the least affected areas in Scotland for the H1N1 virus.

Ms Sturgeon said: "I send my condolences to the patient's family and friends at this difficult and very sad time.

"Fortunately it is a mild illness for most, but people with underlying health conditions are at greater risk of complications which is why we are prioritising the vaccine for this group.

"We are vaccinating as soon as vaccines arrive in the country and those people who accept the invitation will be vaccinated by Christmas."

Of the 600 people locally who reported to their GP with flu-like symptoms last week, only a small number are likely to have been infected.

Meanwhile Holyrood announced, in keeping with the rest of the UK, every child in the country aged between six months and five years would be offered a vaccination.