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Fourth swine flu victim dies
June 26 2009
A 71-year-old Victorian woman has become the fourth Australian with swine flu to die.
The Victorian Department of Human Services says it was informed of the woman's death late last night.
The woman's family has requested that her medical history be withheld.
A 50-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man, both from Victoria, died in the past week after contracting the virus.
Australia recorded its first swine flu death last Friday, when an Aboriginal man from a remote Western Australian community died after contracting the virus.
He had underlying health conditions.
Victoria's acting chief health officer, Dr Rosemary Lester, says in the vast majority of cases, human swine flu is a mild illness which many people recover from without any medical treatment.
"However, we know that for people with chronic medical conditions, influenza can be severe," Dr Lester said.
"In Victoria there have been 1,509 cases of human swine flu diagnosed as a result of laboratory testing.
"We also know that there are many milder cases in the community which have not been tested."
Dr Lester says people at high-risk due to pregnancy, respiratory disease, heart disease and diabetes should see their doctor if they develop respiratory symptoms.
June 26 2009
A 71-year-old Victorian woman has become the fourth Australian with swine flu to die.
The Victorian Department of Human Services says it was informed of the woman's death late last night.
The woman's family has requested that her medical history be withheld.
A 50-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man, both from Victoria, died in the past week after contracting the virus.
Australia recorded its first swine flu death last Friday, when an Aboriginal man from a remote Western Australian community died after contracting the virus.
He had underlying health conditions.
Victoria's acting chief health officer, Dr Rosemary Lester, says in the vast majority of cases, human swine flu is a mild illness which many people recover from without any medical treatment.
"However, we know that for people with chronic medical conditions, influenza can be severe," Dr Lester said.
"In Victoria there have been 1,509 cases of human swine flu diagnosed as a result of laboratory testing.
"We also know that there are many milder cases in the community which have not been tested."
Dr Lester says people at high-risk due to pregnancy, respiratory disease, heart disease and diabetes should see their doctor if they develop respiratory symptoms.
