Ramsey concerned at late diagnosis of Derry A/H1N1 flu death

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.highlandradio.com/news.php?articleid=000005003

Ramsey concerned at late diagnosis of Derry swine flu death
Oct 17, 2:13 pm

Derry MLA Pat Ramsey says he is deeply concerned that constituents whose 14-year-old daughter was buried on Wednesday only received confirmation late yesterday afternoon that swine flu was the cause of death.

He said the girl died on Sunday evening with medical staff in attendance, and the family would have handled the wake and funeral arrangements very differently if the cause of death had been confirmed to them in good time.

He says concern for friends and neighbours has now added to their deep distress and grief.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Ramsey concerned at late diagnosis of Derry A/H1N1 flu death

Source: http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/teen-with-swine-flu-dies-in-north-430635.html

Teen with swine flu dies in North
Print PrintEmail+ Email+Email+ Share+
17/10/2009 - 20:51:50
A disabled child with swine flu has died in the North, it emerged tonight.

Orla O?Kane, 14, took ill last Sunday evening and was rushed to Derry?s Altnagelvin Hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

But SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey said the teenager?s family only learned she had tested positive for swine flu yesterday ? two days after she was buried.

Mr Ramsey said the family was particularly distressed at the delay in hearing the news because a brother of the deceased had now contracted the virus.

?I understand the Department of Health knew on Thursday ? the parents should have been the first port of call to protect themselves and others around them,? he said.

?Clearly, the family would have handled the wake and funeral arrangements very differently if this had been confirmed in good time.?

The MLA for Foyle said he intended to raise the issue with the North's Health Minister Michael McGimpsey after meeting with officials to discuss the issue.

The teenager?s death was the fifth related to swine flu in the North.

Earlier this month a 12-year-old boy died in the Ulster Hospital at Dundonald on the eastern outskirts of Belfast ? less than 48 hours after it was announced a toddler under the age of three died in the south east of the province.

A baby died in September but a pre-existing heart condition was determined as the cause of death.

In August the mother of two young children died. She had been fighting cancer for five years.

A soldier from Derry, who was based in the south of England, also contracted the virus and died in Surrey at the end of July.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Ramsey concerned at late diagnosis of Derry A/H1N1 flu death

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8312986.stm


Concerns at teen swine flu death

The number of laboratory confirmed cases in NI now stands at 565.

Concerns are being raised about how the health authorities responded to the latest swine flu death in NI.

Orla O'Kane, 14, from Londonderry died a week ago. She was a pupil at Foyle View Special School.

Foyle assembly member Pat Ramsey claimed Orla's family was not told she had swine flu until Friday, two days after her funeral.

Another member of the family is also thought to have now contracted swine flu.

Mr Ramsey held talks at Altnagelvin Hospital on Saturday night. He said the family are concerned by a number of issues.

"This girl died on Sunday evening with medical staff in attendance," Mr Ramsey said.

"Clearly, the family would have handled the wake and funeral arrangements very differently if the cause of death had been confirmed to them in good time.

"Concern for friends and neighbours has now added to their deep distress at the loss of a very special young girl. Given the nature of swine flu, everyone appreciates the need for caution in diagnosis.

"But it is equally important to communicate quickly and efficiently with everyone who can play a part in reducing exposure to the virus, and I have to say that was not done in this case."

'Deepest sympathy'

On Saturday, Michael McGimpsey said he was saddened to hear about the death and expressed his deepest sympathy to the teenager's family.

It brings to seven the total number of people from Northern Ireland who have died while suffering from the virus.

Five died in NI while the other two victims died in England and Spain.

No further details about the girl's death have been released and it is not known if she was suffering from an underlying health condition.

Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride assured parents of children who may have come into contact with the girl that "if their child has no symptoms of swine flu and is otherwise healthy there is no need for antiviral treatment".

He said that any parents who are worried that their child may by suffering from the symptoms of swine flu should immediately telephone their GP or out-of-hours service for advice and assessment.

Cases increasing

"For the vast majority of people, swine flu remains a mild illness, however, some people will require hospital care and in some cases admission to intensive care", he added.

Figures released on Thursday showed that there have been 565 laboratory confirmed cases of swine flu in Northern Ireland since the outbreak began.

The number of newly confirmed cases increased by nearly 60% compared to the week before and represented the highest weekly number reported to date.

The first batch of swine flu vaccines has arrived in Northern Ireland and a vaccination programme is due to start on 21 October.

Frontline heath workers will be first to receive the vaccine, closely followed by 'at-risk' groups including people with chronic illnesses and suppressed immune systems.