UK reports its first swine flu death

First in UK
The female was one of the ten patients being treated for the lethal H1N1 influenza in the greater Glasgow area. She goes down in the history books as being the first fatality of the swine flu outside of Americas in the current pandemic outbreak.

A statement released by the Scottish Government read, “With regret, we can confirm that one of the patients who had been in hospital and had been confirmed as suffering from the H1N1 virus, has died today.”

The death highlights the fact that the people with an underlying medical condition like respiratory illness, asthma or cardiovascular diseases are more vulnerable to the swine flu.

On the request of the family members, no other details of the deceased were released.

Expressing deep regret over the demise, Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said, “I'd like to express my condolences to the patient's family and friends. This is a tragedy for those concerned and they have my heartfelt sympathy.”

Fergus Walsh, the BBC medical correspondent, noted that thousands of people lose their lives to the seasonal flu in the UK every year. He analyzed, “The difference with H1N1 swine flu is that the virus is almost exclusively targeting people under 65."

1,261 people have now been affected by the swine flu virus in the UK. In addition to this, 486 people are under investigation.

India’s brush with the flu
A total of 17 swine flu cases have been reported in India. Indian authorities have maintained that the country is well equipped and sufficient preventive measures have been put in place to thwart the spread of the flu.

The state of Hyderabad is the worst affected in the country with nine cases, including three children, being reported from there.

Symptoms of swine flu include cough, fever, sore throat, aches and fatigue.