http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/news/2674312/Flu-may-have-claimed-first-healthy-Kiwi
Flu may have claimed first 'healthy' Kiwi
By CATHERINE WOULFE - Sunday Star Times
Last updated 05:00 26/07/2009
A 27-YEAR-OLD man who died of suspected swine flu on Friday may be the first New Zealand victim of the pandemic who did not have any other medical problems.
Stephen Russell Lavelle, an electrician from Invercargill, was flown to Auckland Hospital last week and died early on Friday.
The Ministry of Health was yesterday working to confirm whether Lavelle died of swine flu, and whether he had any other health problems.
Spokesman Peter Abernethy said this should be confirmed in the next few days.
But one of Lavelle's relatives claimed he was struck down by swine flu despite having no other medical problems. The relative started a discussion thread on TradeMe message boards just hours after Lavelle died, saying she was in shock because Lavelle was a healthy person who had not even caught a cold this winter.
"How does a previously healthy young man of not even 30 years old die of swine flu? ... He was in hospital a week, and they couldn't do a darn thing."
The relative could not be contacted by phone and did not respond to Sunday Star-Times emails.
Lavelle's parents, Hugh and Josephine Lavelle, declined to comment. Lavelle grew up in Southland and worked at Nind Electrical in Invercargill. On his Facebook page, he said he was "in a relationship with the most awesome chick ever! Have three step-children, great little tikes."
Friends and family were posting tributes yesterday. One post said: "We love you Dad, R.I.P from CJ, Beth and GG." Another said: "Forever love babe xoxo. I love you."
Fifteen other people are thought to have died of swine flu, or influenza A (H1N1), since the pandemic hit New Zealand 12 weeks ago. Eleven of those have been confirmed by the Ministry of Health as swine flu-related, and four are being investigated. All 15 had underlying health issues, including asthma or lung problems.
Swine flu is more dangerous in people with underlying medical conditions, and Lavelle's death came as the New Zealand Medical Journal published reports that swine flu was more infectious here than first thought. Instead of every two sick people infecting three others (rate based on data from Mexico), in New Zealand, every sick person was infecting nearly two others. Based on this transmission rate, 79% of New Zealanders would catch swine flu, although not all would fall sick.
Flu may have claimed first 'healthy' Kiwi
By CATHERINE WOULFE - Sunday Star Times
Last updated 05:00 26/07/2009
A 27-YEAR-OLD man who died of suspected swine flu on Friday may be the first New Zealand victim of the pandemic who did not have any other medical problems.
Stephen Russell Lavelle, an electrician from Invercargill, was flown to Auckland Hospital last week and died early on Friday.
The Ministry of Health was yesterday working to confirm whether Lavelle died of swine flu, and whether he had any other health problems.
Spokesman Peter Abernethy said this should be confirmed in the next few days.
But one of Lavelle's relatives claimed he was struck down by swine flu despite having no other medical problems. The relative started a discussion thread on TradeMe message boards just hours after Lavelle died, saying she was in shock because Lavelle was a healthy person who had not even caught a cold this winter.
"How does a previously healthy young man of not even 30 years old die of swine flu? ... He was in hospital a week, and they couldn't do a darn thing."
The relative could not be contacted by phone and did not respond to Sunday Star-Times emails.
Lavelle's parents, Hugh and Josephine Lavelle, declined to comment. Lavelle grew up in Southland and worked at Nind Electrical in Invercargill. On his Facebook page, he said he was "in a relationship with the most awesome chick ever! Have three step-children, great little tikes."
Friends and family were posting tributes yesterday. One post said: "We love you Dad, R.I.P from CJ, Beth and GG." Another said: "Forever love babe xoxo. I love you."
Fifteen other people are thought to have died of swine flu, or influenza A (H1N1), since the pandemic hit New Zealand 12 weeks ago. Eleven of those have been confirmed by the Ministry of Health as swine flu-related, and four are being investigated. All 15 had underlying health issues, including asthma or lung problems.
Swine flu is more dangerous in people with underlying medical conditions, and Lavelle's death came as the New Zealand Medical Journal published reports that swine flu was more infectious here than first thought. Instead of every two sick people infecting three others (rate based on data from Mexico), in New Zealand, every sick person was infecting nearly two others. Based on this transmission rate, 79% of New Zealanders would catch swine flu, although not all would fall sick.
