Elderly 'most at risk' of dying from swine flu in winter months

Published on Wednesday 11 November 2009 21:47

THE elderly are more likely to die of swine flu this winter than younger people, according to a new study.

Although infants and under-40s are most at risk of infection, mortalities are more than five times higher among over-70s.

Unlike seasonal flu – which tends to kill older, frail members of the population – the average age of those who have died from the virus in the UK is 44.

But the new study of patients in Mexico between 28 April and 31 July, 2009 found of 63 deaths out of 6,945 confirmed H1N1 cases, 10.3 per cent involved those aged 70 and over, well in excess of other age groups.

However, those aged ten to 39 were most affected – accounting for 56 per cent of cases, according to the study published online by The Lancet.

The news came as officials announced another swine flu-related fatality in Scotland, bringing the death toll to 33.

Dr Victor Borja-Aburto and colleagues responsible for the Mexican study said that although swine flu was unlikely to match the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak, which killed up to 50 million, the "threat continues".

He said: "All nations worldwide are closely monitoring whether the disease will continue to be less severe than it has been so far. However, the world has the biotechnological and communication methods to deal with this pandemic.

"This might not be the pandemic we expected; however, the virus is evolving and the threat continues."

The study also found the risk of infection was lowered by 35 per cent in those vaccinated for seasonal influenza.

The latest Scottish death was announced by health secretary Nicola Sturgeon.

She said that the victim was an adult from the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area with a "significant" underlying health condition.

Ms Sturgeon also urged those on the priority list for vaccination to show patience and wait to be called for it.

However, the virus has continued to hit school rolls across the Highlands, with more than 250 pupils at three schools absent with flu-like symptoms, it was confirmed yesterday.

Last week, swine flu fears forced Kirkcudbright Academy, in Dumfries and Galloway, to send home more than 160 pupils and seven teachers.

Dr Ken Oates, interim director of public health at NHS Highland, has sent a letter to parents warning that the swine flu H1N1 virus is one of a number of viruses around at the moment in the Inverness area.

He said it was no longer routinely recommended that schools were closed in order to try to contain the virus.