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Victim Chloe's parents speak of their 'fun-loving baby girl'
Tim Ross and Anna Davis14 Jul 2009
The parents of the six-year-old London swine flu victim told today of their agony at the loss of their "fun-loving baby girl".
Chloe Buckley died from swine flu last Thursday, less than 48 hours after she told her mother she was suffering from a sore throat.
She is believed to be the first child in Britain without underlying health problems to die from the virus.
Chloe's parents Michael, 40, and Jacinta, 37, appealed to be left to grieve in private.
"We are obviously very distressed at the loss of our fun-loving baby girl," they said. "Nothing can replace her in our lives and we would plead with you to allow us to deal with our loss in private.
"We are satisfied that the medical care Chloe received at all times was appropriate and are disappointed with the stories that have been printed that suggest otherwise."
Parents in West Drayton, where Chloe lived, appealed today for more information on the virus.
They warned that conflicting official advice was adding to their anxiety after Chloe's death.
As they left a meeting organised by Hillingdon council at St Catherine Catholic Primary School in West Drayton, where Chloe was a pupil, several parents said they were unsure how to protect their children. One father, who did not want to be named, said: "No one can tell me what I should do, where I can get medication, when people are going to be vaccinated."
Daphne May, 62, whose nine-year-old granddaughter Tianne goes to the school, said: "Everybody is frightened. They said by August they would have medication ready. But what happens in September if things aren't done?"
Mr and Mrs Buckley were being comforted at their home less than a mile away from the school with Chloe's older brothers Shane, 12, and Dillon, 10.
Her GP reportedly diagnosed tonsillitis and sent her home without prescribing the anti-viral drug Tamiflu. Chloe - who would have been seven on Friday - died in St Mary's Hospital, Paddington after she deteriorated rapidly.
A post-mortem examination is to be carried out, with provisional tests showing that Chloe had the H1N1 swine flu virus.
One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "On Monday after school she was just running around. That was the last time we saw her. She was looking fine."
MPs called for the public to be given better information.
Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat health spokesman, said: "There may well be a compelling case for holding inquests, particularly at this stage where our knowledge is limited and the impact of this condition is still unclear. There is a danger of the Government being overwhelmed and not taking proper steps now."
Mike Penning, Conservative health spokesman for London, said full investigations should be conducted into each death.
The total number of fatalities from the virus in the UK has reached 17, including two who had no other major health problems.
Everyone who came into contact with a GP who died after contracting swine flu will be checked for the virus.
Dr Michael Day, 64, was taken ill on Saturday and died at the Luton and Dunstable hospital the same day.
