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Source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/w...e-flu0related-deaths-in-wales-91466-25156236/
Six more swine flu-related deaths in Wales
Nov 12 2009 Madeleine Brindley, WalesOnline
SIX more people have died after contracting swine flu in Wales, bringing the death toll to 15.
Health Minister Edwina Hart has warned Wales that there will be further deaths as the pandemic continues.
These latest swine flu-related deaths come as officials figures suggest that the number of people contracting the H1N1 virus has fallen in the last week.
It also emerged that children and young people with severe learning disabilities will now be eligible for a swine flu jab because of the risk of serious complications.
In a written statement Mrs Hart said: ?We are now well into the second wave of the pandemic in the UK.
?Advice I have recently received suggests that the swine flu is behaving as expected and in the vast majority of cases, people are recovering well.
?However, as the number of cases rise, we are likely to see more people experiencing severe complications, admission to critical care facilities and more deaths.
?There have now been 14 deaths in Wales. This will continue to increase over time.?
The 15th person to die after contracting swine flu was 29-year-old David Hayes, who had Down?s syndrome and died while on holiday in Spain last month.
Mrs Hart added: ?I recently decided that all children and young people with severe learning difficulties will be treated as a priority for vaccination as they are at high risk of severe complications.
?Vaccination sessions will be held at the specialist schools and colleges and staff will also be offered protection because of the level of personal care they give.
?Arrangements are already in place for GP practices to vaccinate children and young people with severe learning difficulties who attend mainstream schools and colleges.?
Six more swine flu-related deaths in Wales
Nov 12 2009 Madeleine Brindley, WalesOnline
SIX more people have died after contracting swine flu in Wales, bringing the death toll to 15.
Health Minister Edwina Hart has warned Wales that there will be further deaths as the pandemic continues.
These latest swine flu-related deaths come as officials figures suggest that the number of people contracting the H1N1 virus has fallen in the last week.
It also emerged that children and young people with severe learning disabilities will now be eligible for a swine flu jab because of the risk of serious complications.
In a written statement Mrs Hart said: ?We are now well into the second wave of the pandemic in the UK.
?Advice I have recently received suggests that the swine flu is behaving as expected and in the vast majority of cases, people are recovering well.
?However, as the number of cases rise, we are likely to see more people experiencing severe complications, admission to critical care facilities and more deaths.
?There have now been 14 deaths in Wales. This will continue to increase over time.?
The 15th person to die after contracting swine flu was 29-year-old David Hayes, who had Down?s syndrome and died while on holiday in Spain last month.
Mrs Hart added: ?I recently decided that all children and young people with severe learning difficulties will be treated as a priority for vaccination as they are at high risk of severe complications.
?Vaccination sessions will be held at the specialist schools and colleges and staff will also be offered protection because of the level of personal care they give.
?Arrangements are already in place for GP practices to vaccinate children and young people with severe learning difficulties who attend mainstream schools and colleges.?