Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
'Girl dies after taking swine flu'
HEALTH officials are refusing to comment on reports that a child may have died after contracting swine flu.
The News Letter understands that a girl from the Co Antrim area, who suffered from a disability, was buried at the weekend.
It is believed swine flu may have been an underlying factor in her death.
The Department of Health declined to comment on the matter.
A spokesman said: "We will only be releasing information regarding swine flu on a weekly basis."
Health officials have adopted a revised policy as of last week of only putting information into the public domain as part of their weekly swine flu bulletin. This is released every Thursday.
According to the latest figures, 10 people from Northern Ireland who had the virus have died.
Last month, two pupils attending Foyleview special school in Londonderry passed away after contracting swine flu.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey was forced to apologise to the family of Orla O'Kane, 14, after they were only informed two days after the teenager's funeral that she had swine flu.
Children with special needs are being treated as priority cases in the ongoing swine flu vaccination programme taking place across the Province. This process is thought to be near to completion.
Last week, arrangements were made for other children with special needs and underlying physical health conditions who are not in special schools to be offered the vaccine.
Some staff in special needs schools, like frontline health and social care workers, are also to be offered the jab as a precaution.
Mr McGimpsey has directed the Public Health Agency to make arrangements to offer the vaccine to this group as "quickly as possible".
Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride has revealed levels of flu in Northern Ireland are at their highest for nine years, with GPs experiencing a massive increase in consultations.
Levels of swine flu are found to be highest among children aged five to 14.
Last week, the total number of laboratory confirmed cases for the Province was 899, according to the Department of Health. The Republic confirmed over 9,000 cases last week.
HEALTH officials are refusing to comment on reports that a child may have died after contracting swine flu.
The News Letter understands that a girl from the Co Antrim area, who suffered from a disability, was buried at the weekend.
It is believed swine flu may have been an underlying factor in her death.
The Department of Health declined to comment on the matter.
A spokesman said: "We will only be releasing information regarding swine flu on a weekly basis."
Health officials have adopted a revised policy as of last week of only putting information into the public domain as part of their weekly swine flu bulletin. This is released every Thursday.
According to the latest figures, 10 people from Northern Ireland who had the virus have died.
Last month, two pupils attending Foyleview special school in Londonderry passed away after contracting swine flu.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey was forced to apologise to the family of Orla O'Kane, 14, after they were only informed two days after the teenager's funeral that she had swine flu.
Children with special needs are being treated as priority cases in the ongoing swine flu vaccination programme taking place across the Province. This process is thought to be near to completion.
Last week, arrangements were made for other children with special needs and underlying physical health conditions who are not in special schools to be offered the vaccine.
Some staff in special needs schools, like frontline health and social care workers, are also to be offered the jab as a precaution.
Mr McGimpsey has directed the Public Health Agency to make arrangements to offer the vaccine to this group as "quickly as possible".
Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride has revealed levels of flu in Northern Ireland are at their highest for nine years, with GPs experiencing a massive increase in consultations.
Levels of swine flu are found to be highest among children aged five to 14.
Last week, the total number of laboratory confirmed cases for the Province was 899, according to the Department of Health. The Republic confirmed over 9,000 cases last week.
- Last Updated: 03 November 2009 2:11 PM