Swine flu deaths prompt jabs plea

Health chiefs have urged vulnerable people to have seasonal flu jabs following a number of deaths from swine flu in the North-West — two in Oldham.

The two men are both thought to have died at the Royal Oldham Hospital in recent weeks. A man also died in Rochdale. All three had underlying health conditions.

The Health Protection Agency wants pensioners, pregnant women and those with a long–term health condition to take up the free seasonal flu vaccine which this year includes protection against swine flu.

Confirming the two Oldham deaths, the area’s director of public health Alan Higgins, said: “It is with regret that NHS Oldham confirms that two people from Oldham have died at the Royal Oldham Hospital, with swine flu as a part of the cause of death. The two men also had serious underlying illnesses.” Director of public health for the Rochdale borough, Dr Jane Rossini, said: “It is with regret that NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale confirms that one person from the Rochdale borough has died at the Rochdale Infirmary, with swine flu as a part of the cause of death.

He had other long term health issues.”

Kay Burdett (32) died from swine flu in Liverpool last Friday.

Diane Wake, Royal Liverpool Hospital’s director of nursing and operations, said: “Kay Burdett had H1N1 (commonly known as swine flu) and that this was a contributory factor in her death.

“We would like to pass on our deepest sympathy at this difficult time. As this tragic case highlights, a small number of people with flu, particularly those with chronic ill health, can become seriously ill and die.

A fifth person in the North-West — a 29–year–old woman from Knowsley, Merseyside — has also recently died from swine flu, it has been confirmed.

A spokeswoman for NHS Knowsley said: “We can confirm that a 29-year-old female died from complications from confirmed H1N1 infection.

“Most people with flu recover completely without any need to see a doctor.”