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First Londoner dies of swine flu
Sophie Goodchild and Anna Davis03.07.09
A teenager has become the first London patient to die after contracting swine flu.
The 19-year-old man, from Lewisham, died on Wednesday after complaining of flu-like symptoms. It is understood he was already seriously ill with a rare long-term health
condition which left him with serious chest infections.
Paramedics took him to Lewisham hospital by ambulance after his family called the emergency services but doctors were unable to save his life and he was confirmed dead on arrival at accident and emergency.
Test results last night confirmed that the teenager was infected with the H1N1 virus and an inquest into his death is now expected to be opened.
The young man, who had learning difficulties, is the fourth confirmed swine flu death in Britain. Others have included a six-year-old girl from Birmingham who died last Friday and a woman from Scotland who had recently given birth.
This first London death comes a day after the Government said it could no longer stop the virus spreading. More than 7,447 swine flu cases have been confirmed so far in Britain, including at least 1,794 in London.
Experts say new cases of swine flu could reach 100,000 a day by next month with as many as four people dying every day.
Health chiefs confirmed the London victim had “serious underlying health problems”. A statement issued by NHS London said: “It is with sadness that we have to announce the death of a patient in London who has subsequently tested
positive for H1N1 swine flu. The 19-year-old male from south London had serious underlying health problems.
“No further details will be released to protect patient confidentiality and we would ask the
media to respect the family's privacy at this very difficult time. Our thoughts are with them as they come to terms with their loss.”
The statement added that swine flu was a “mild illness” and that most people feel better within a few days without visiting their GP or hospital
emergency department.
But vulnerable people who display flu-like symptoms were warned to talk to their doctor. These include children, the pregnant, anyone over 65 or those with long-term conditions such as asthma and diabetes.
The Government has signed contracts for enough vaccine to cover the whole population. The first will become available next month with 60 million doses available by the end of the year.
Yesterday Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced a shift in focus from containment of the virus to treatment.
Doctors have now taken over diagnosis of swine flu in patients instead of waiting for lab tests to give a positive confirmation.
Patients are being told to stay at home while arrangements are made for them to get anti-viral drugs.
Simon Tanner, regional director of public health for London, said: “Our thoughts are with the family. I would take this opportunity to remind the public that for most people this is a mild illness.
“There will be vulnerable people who succumb to the illness and that happens with seasonal flu every year.
“Everything we are doing is to try to avoid that possibility but I can't say no one is going to die from swine flu.”
Swine flu hit David Cameron's staff today as two workers at Conservative HQ were signed off with suspected cases of the disease.
Reader views (17)
I feel for the young lad - having a serious condition to live with and then extinguished by a media branded flu - a safe journey to the stars young sir and I apologise for the lack of compassion in these comments.
- Mr Pastry, Brisbane
How is this even news?
The person unfortunatly died whilst having swine flu, however : "It is understood he was already seriously ill with a rare long-term health
condition which left him with serious chest infections."
Is this just government trying to scare us?
Swine flue was overrated when it came out and still is, more people die of normal flu every year.
- Josh, London
How many people in the UK are at risk of death from swine flu? Is it a small enough number that the NHS could simply give them all an ongoing course of Tamiflu? Would that be effective in preventing deaths?
- Richard Hancock, Bracknell, UK
Thank you, Rose for stating the obvious. Swine 'flu is not related to the government of the day. Gordon Brown is not responsible for Swine 'flu in Canada, the US or Mexico. Man U fan, please understand the obvious which is that if you have ANY serious health condition you will be more vulnerable to any virus, so if you have chronic bronchitis as a result of heavy smoking you are more likely to be vulnernable to the swine 'flu virus.
Sheila: do you have a medical degree? Are you a virologist? No, somehow I thought not. You haven't got a clue about epidemology either. The only way to tell whether or not a person has swine 'flu is by a test in a hospital with a virology department (such as Barts).
- Dectora, London UK
Quote: Keith Grey, islington, UK. As for 'mickinlondon' get over your naff comments. Next you will be blaming 'socialists' for the extinction of the dinosaur!
Thank you Keith for your concern and interest in my naff comments; I was a life long socialist before [Old Labour type] then I experienced what is the Blair and Brown type socialism; which is a perfect clone of Thatcherism.
Everyone knows global warming killed off the dinosaurs etc; mild you today’s socialism is killing off a good few pensioners as the winters get colder again; I suppose your type could call the old people still living; Dinosaurs as well?
I hope you are well Keith, you never know, you could be gone yourself by Christmas, if your unlucky.
Don’t worry about this old ex socialist; I am as strong as an ox, and in perfect health; you can have my swine vaccine, if there is any left.
- Mickinlondon, london.
The reason thiws government isn't doing what it can do to prevent the spread of H1N1 is that it would scare people and cetainly lose them the next election. For the most efficient way to treat it look at how they authorities in Hong Kong dealt with ONE businessman infected in a hotel..... quarantine. Everyone here has 'human rights' and would point blank refuse to be treated in such a way. 'I feel fine, and you can't make me stay here. I got rights you know.'
Can you imagine the public reaction to the government and emergency services now if that were to happen??
- Tom, London
Maybe its because its nobody's business. Why should you know someone's personal medical details. 1000's of people die from flu each year, mainly those with other health problems.
How is this a Labour issue? It's a pandemic. People will die from it. They would die no matter who was running the country.
- Rose, London
If you read the story, all we currently know is that the poor guy had swine flu when he died - we do NOT know that he died of swine flu.
- David Potts, London,UK
if the commentators here bothered to 'read' the news they would know that it has already been stated many times that the swine flu strain is potentially fatal to those with weak immune systems, and impaired breathing illnesses/conditions. The infection is mild, and death rates are unlikely to be any different from other flu strains of previous years. Treatments will only be of any value to those in the 'at risk' groups.
As for 'mickinlondon' get over your naff comments. Next you will be blaming 'socialists' for the extinction of the dinosaur!
- Keith Grey, islington, UK
As there are hundreds of thousands of people across the UK with serious health problems the secrecy must be an attempt to stop wide spread panic and to respect the confidentiality of people's personal circumstances and their family.
It would be helpful though to learn more about these conditions to put the majority of people's minds at rest.
- Dan, London, London, UK
The Government ought to be thoroughly ashamed of itself for mismanaging this Cases of swine flu have been undetected by weeks by stupid doctors who have not diagnosed properly Thats why there is now an epidemic It could have been avoided The UK will suffer more than any other country because of the ignorance of our GP's and many in the Health Service...also useless It is nothing short of murder Underlying illness means diabetics....most of those who died in Mexico were diabetic, it is a major disease in Mexico and huge in the UK What can I say? Damn you Brown and your disgusting government
- Sheila, london uk
All the deaths seem to involve people with "serious underlying health problems". No clue is given as to what these problems were. Would it not reassure the general public to explain what these problems were?
- Ian F, London, UK
Great comment Steve, very helpfull....
- Mark, St Albans
The Government can save the banks over-night, and the billions that cost us all, means nothing to them; yet we are in a possible epidemic situation with swine flue, and even by the end of the year they will only have enough vaccine for half the nation?
Something is wrong with their morality and sense of duty to the people of the UK.
If there are many deaths from swine flu; the manslaughter or murder of those that will die, is laid firmly at the door of New Labours health service, and their leaders and managers; and the buck stops at the top; Gordon Browns leadership.
Act now you socialists; or forever be condemned for your lack of care to all the people of the UK.
There is no such thing as can't; you are in control; and you can.
- Mickinlondon, london.
i find it very strange that the nhs/government are being so cagey about the "underlying medical problems"
are they really afraid to say diabetic,asthmatic,heart condition,old age,blood disorders.
looks like the management plan is to leave people in their homes when infected , and let the weak die.
shades of the old red cross on the door methinks.
are we really living in the 21st century.
seems a very mediavel attitude to epidemiology if you ask me .
or am i missing something here
- Are Freinds Electric, south east london
Makes a change from being stabbed I suppose.
- Steve, London
Why are the underlying medical conditions so secret? It might just save someone's life if they, or a friend or relative, know they are at high risk!
- Man U Fan, London
