http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6717675.ece
Baby saved as mother with swine flu dies
A pregnant London woman who became seriously ill after contracting swine flu gave birth before dying, it emerged today.
Another baby, aged six months, is understood to have died in the capital after becoming infected, as have two adults.
The four fatalities in London are among 29 deaths that have been linked to the H1N1 virus in Britain, with the Government predicting that 65,000 could die in the first wave of the pandemic.
The cases emerged as the Government said that some schools could remain closed in September if swine flu escalates over the summer.
Schools across the country begin breaking up for the summer holidays today. But the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) said that although it expected schools and nurseries to open as usual at the start of the academic year, it could not be certain what the situation would be in the autumn.
The 39-year-old pregnant woman, who died at Whipps Cross Hospital on Monday, is one of four new swine flu fatalities to be identified in London, taking the total in the capital to ten. Her baby, who was born extremely prematurely, is fighting for life in intensive care.
The woman was understood to have been left paraplegic after a car crash a number of years ago. Relatives of the woman, who is thought to be originally from Bangladesh, are said to be looking after her five other children.
A spokesman for Whipps Cross said: ?Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust can confirm that a 39-year-old woman passed away on July 13, 2009, and that she was infected with pandemic H1N1."
The rate of reported illness in London, the worst-affected part of the country, is far exceeding that expected in a typical winter flu season, reaching epidemic levels.
The youngest victim is understood to be a baby who died at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead last week, who was less than six months old.
The other latest cases include a 70-year-old man who died at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel on Tuesday and another adult patient who died at St Thomas? Hospital, Lambeth, on Friday last week. All had serious underlying health conditions but had tested positive for swine flu.
The National Childbirth Trust has issued guidance to pregnant women about the risks of swine flu, as they could be particularly susceptible to infection in the third trimester ? weeks 28 to 40 ? of pregnancy. There is also evidence that flu infection is likely to be longer lasting and more severe in pregnant women.
Simon Tanner, regional director of public health at NHS London, said: ?We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to each of the families affected. It is also important that these deaths be kept in perspective.
?All four had underlying health conditions and these upsetting cases should be kept in context with the many people who have had swine flu and recovered just a few days after experiencing a mild illness.?
Three more deaths in London are being investigated to determine whether they too involved the virus.
A seven-year-old boy in Kent who died on Tuesday was reported as a possible swine flu case, but health officials said that the child had a range of complications that were not related to swine flu. The cause of death has not been confirmed.
The Government?s chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, said that 26 people had died in England and three in Scotland since the epidemic began.
One of the Scottish deaths was a female tourist with ?significant underlying medical conditions?. She had been in hospital for three weeks.
A national flu telephone helpline planned for the autumn has been brought forward, The helpline will enable patients to access antiviral medications without a prescription.
So far, flu-like illness is mainly being reported in children aged 5 to 14, and about 1,000 schools have recorded cases of swine flu.
Decisions on any future closures would be taken based on the best advice available shortly before the start of term, the guidance from the DCSF said.
A message will be sent to schools in the last week of August informing them of what to do at the start of term.
The department?s message said: ?As the summer term is drawing to an end, it is important to ensure that everyone will be in a position to know what will happen at the start of the autumn term.
?We expect that schools and early-years and childcare settings will reopen as usual, but at this time we cannot be certain what the situation will be then; we will need to monitor developments over the summer, and take decisions based on the best advice available shortly before the start of term.?
Baby saved as mother with swine flu dies
A pregnant London woman who became seriously ill after contracting swine flu gave birth before dying, it emerged today.
Another baby, aged six months, is understood to have died in the capital after becoming infected, as have two adults.
The four fatalities in London are among 29 deaths that have been linked to the H1N1 virus in Britain, with the Government predicting that 65,000 could die in the first wave of the pandemic.
The cases emerged as the Government said that some schools could remain closed in September if swine flu escalates over the summer.
Schools across the country begin breaking up for the summer holidays today. But the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) said that although it expected schools and nurseries to open as usual at the start of the academic year, it could not be certain what the situation would be in the autumn.
The 39-year-old pregnant woman, who died at Whipps Cross Hospital on Monday, is one of four new swine flu fatalities to be identified in London, taking the total in the capital to ten. Her baby, who was born extremely prematurely, is fighting for life in intensive care.
The woman was understood to have been left paraplegic after a car crash a number of years ago. Relatives of the woman, who is thought to be originally from Bangladesh, are said to be looking after her five other children.
A spokesman for Whipps Cross said: ?Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust can confirm that a 39-year-old woman passed away on July 13, 2009, and that she was infected with pandemic H1N1."
The rate of reported illness in London, the worst-affected part of the country, is far exceeding that expected in a typical winter flu season, reaching epidemic levels.
The youngest victim is understood to be a baby who died at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead last week, who was less than six months old.
The other latest cases include a 70-year-old man who died at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel on Tuesday and another adult patient who died at St Thomas? Hospital, Lambeth, on Friday last week. All had serious underlying health conditions but had tested positive for swine flu.
The National Childbirth Trust has issued guidance to pregnant women about the risks of swine flu, as they could be particularly susceptible to infection in the third trimester ? weeks 28 to 40 ? of pregnancy. There is also evidence that flu infection is likely to be longer lasting and more severe in pregnant women.
Simon Tanner, regional director of public health at NHS London, said: ?We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to each of the families affected. It is also important that these deaths be kept in perspective.
?All four had underlying health conditions and these upsetting cases should be kept in context with the many people who have had swine flu and recovered just a few days after experiencing a mild illness.?
Three more deaths in London are being investigated to determine whether they too involved the virus.
A seven-year-old boy in Kent who died on Tuesday was reported as a possible swine flu case, but health officials said that the child had a range of complications that were not related to swine flu. The cause of death has not been confirmed.
The Government?s chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, said that 26 people had died in England and three in Scotland since the epidemic began.
One of the Scottish deaths was a female tourist with ?significant underlying medical conditions?. She had been in hospital for three weeks.
A national flu telephone helpline planned for the autumn has been brought forward, The helpline will enable patients to access antiviral medications without a prescription.
So far, flu-like illness is mainly being reported in children aged 5 to 14, and about 1,000 schools have recorded cases of swine flu.
Decisions on any future closures would be taken based on the best advice available shortly before the start of term, the guidance from the DCSF said.
A message will be sent to schools in the last week of August informing them of what to do at the start of term.
The department?s message said: ?As the summer term is drawing to an end, it is important to ensure that everyone will be in a position to know what will happen at the start of the autumn term.
?We expect that schools and early-years and childcare settings will reopen as usual, but at this time we cannot be certain what the situation will be then; we will need to monitor developments over the summer, and take decisions based on the best advice available shortly before the start of term.?