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Double tragedy as baby son of UK's first swine flu victim dies
16 Jun 2009
The family of the UK's first swine flu victim to die was coming to terms with a double tragedy today after her premature son also passed away.
Jacqui Fleming, 38, of Glasgow, died in hospital on Sunday, two weeks after giving birth prematurely.
Her baby, named Jack, succumbed in hospital in Paisley, Renfrewshire, last night.
A NHS Greater Glasgow spokesman said the baby did not die from swine flu.
A statement issued on behalf of Ms Fleming's partner William McCann, said: "My beautiful son was born on 1st June 2009, 11 weeks early.
"He suffered from a number of complications and despite his brave fight he passed away at the Special Care Baby Unit at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.
"Coming so soon after the death of his mum, this is an extremely distressing and difficult time for our family and I would ask the media to respect our privacy as we try to cope with the loss of Jacqueline and Jack."
Ms Fleming lived with her two other children - one aged 18 and one of primary school age - and her long-term partner in the family home in Carnwadric, Glasgow.
Her family said in a statement: "Our whole family is absolutely devastated."
The mother, who was in intensive care at the Royal Alexandra, was one of 10 being treated in hospital in Scotland.
It is the first death to be reported outside the Americas where at least 145 people have died from swine flu.
Professor Hugh Pennington, a bacteriologist at Aberdeen University, said the first swine flu death was not unexpected.
He said: "It does not point to the virus getting nastier. All the evidence to date suggests the virus is not changing at all."
Another 59 patients in England have been confirmed with swine flu, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said.
Along with 71 new clinically diagnosed cases in Scotland it brings the UK total to 1,391.
Reader views (3)
How terrible: I'm so sorry for their family.
- Roz, France, 16/06/2009 12:59
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Very sad, I am not clear as to why Ms Flemming was in the hospital in the first place. It seems that she may have been quite ill well before the birth of her baby or the symptoms of flu appeared. I understand this flue virus is particularly dangerous for those with certain underlying medical conditions.
- Helen, norwich, 16/06/2009 10:26
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How absolutely awful. My thoughts are with Jacqui Fleming's family at this very sad time.
- Barbara, Sydney Australia, 16/06/2009 08:56
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