“Swine flu kills – it has not gone away” says spokesman - H1N1 virus claims life of north London child
Published: 16 December 2010
by TOM FOOT
SWINE flu is back, doctors have warned, after the H1N1 virus claimed the life of a child in north London.
NHS bosses said it could not reveal further details about the child but they are using the death to warn: “Swine flu kills – it has not gone away”.
A spokeswoman said: “Sadly, there has already been a death from swine flu in the north London area, with a post-mortem confirming H1N1 Influenza [swine flu] as the cause of death.”
The winter flu vaccine has been combined with doses of the swine flu vaccine left over from last year.
It is for the first time available to pregnant women as well as pensioners and vulnerable groups.
Dr Quentin Sandifer, director of public health at NHS Camden, said: “Most people recover well from flu. But for elderly people or people who have weaker immune systems it can lead to pneumonia and other complications that can be life-threatening.
“Having a flu jab every year will help to protect against flu viruses circulating throughout the winter months.”