Swine flu claims 48th victim in Scotland

THE death toll linked to swine flu in Scotland has risen to 48, the Scottish Government said yesterday.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that an adult from the NHS Ayrshire and Arran Health Board area had died after contracting the H1N1 virus. The patient had underlying health conditions.

Last week, seven patients died after contracting swine flu in Scotland – two of them had no reported underlying health problems.

Yesterday, Ms Sturgeon said: "It deeply saddens me to confirm another H1N1-related death.

"I want to reassure the public that we are doing everything we can to fight H1N1."

Doctors are continuing to vaccinate patients against swine flu, with hopes to complete the at-risk groups by Christmas.

Then the vaccination campaign is set to move on to children under five.

Ms Sturgeon added: "Vaccination is our best defence against H1N1 and the programme is progressing well."