Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=15947
Swine flu concern for CF sufferers
[Posted: Mon 10/08/2009 by Joanne McCarthy]
The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland (CFAI) has expressed its concern about the effect of swine flu on cystic fibrosis (CF) sufferers following the death of a CF patient from swine flu.
Darina Calpin, an 18-year-old from Templeboy, Co Sligo, died on Friday in Tallaght Hospital after contracting the virus. The CF sufferer was the first person in Ireland to die from the virus.
In response to Darina?s death, the CFAI has voiced its concern that those with lung disease, including cystic fibrosis, can be at greater risk from swine flu. For this reason, it has called for the H1N1 vaccine to be made available to people with CF as the same time as frontline health workers.
?We would advise that people living with CF, their family and friends, should neither be alarmist or complacent about the issue. What is needed now is more specific guidance from the HSE to people with CF to complement the general advice that is already available,? said Philip Watt, CEO of the CFAI.
Mr Watt added that the CFAI recently met with the HSE on these issues and were given assurances that guidelines would be published in the near future, a move they said would be welcomed.
CF is a genetic disorder which affects the glands, damaging the lungs, pancreas, digestive tract and reproductive system. Ireland has the highest incidence of CF in the world, and the most severe types of CF in the world.
The CFAI extended its ?deepest sorrow? to Darina?s family and appealed for their privacy.
In a statement, Darina?s family said they were ?shocked and devastated by the tragic death of a beloved daughter and sister?.
"Darina was a beautiful lady with a zest for life. She was courageous and determined. She had a great talent for and love of music and she enjoyed life with her family and friends," the statement said.
The family has appealed for privacy and asked the media not to attend Darina?s funeral.
Elsewhere, an Irish language college in the Donegal Gaeltacht had to close at the weekend because of a swine flu outbreak there.
All 300 students were sent home after 11 of them were confirmed as having the virus.
It has also been reported that former Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald is among 20 Irish people who have been quarantined at a French chateau because of a suspected swine flu outbreak.
Some 1,300 people were diagnosed with suspected swine flu in Ireland last week.
For more on swine flu, see our Q&A section here and a GP's guide to swine flu here.
Swine flu concern for CF sufferers
[Posted: Mon 10/08/2009 by Joanne McCarthy]
The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland (CFAI) has expressed its concern about the effect of swine flu on cystic fibrosis (CF) sufferers following the death of a CF patient from swine flu.
Darina Calpin, an 18-year-old from Templeboy, Co Sligo, died on Friday in Tallaght Hospital after contracting the virus. The CF sufferer was the first person in Ireland to die from the virus.
In response to Darina?s death, the CFAI has voiced its concern that those with lung disease, including cystic fibrosis, can be at greater risk from swine flu. For this reason, it has called for the H1N1 vaccine to be made available to people with CF as the same time as frontline health workers.
?We would advise that people living with CF, their family and friends, should neither be alarmist or complacent about the issue. What is needed now is more specific guidance from the HSE to people with CF to complement the general advice that is already available,? said Philip Watt, CEO of the CFAI.
Mr Watt added that the CFAI recently met with the HSE on these issues and were given assurances that guidelines would be published in the near future, a move they said would be welcomed.
CF is a genetic disorder which affects the glands, damaging the lungs, pancreas, digestive tract and reproductive system. Ireland has the highest incidence of CF in the world, and the most severe types of CF in the world.
The CFAI extended its ?deepest sorrow? to Darina?s family and appealed for their privacy.
In a statement, Darina?s family said they were ?shocked and devastated by the tragic death of a beloved daughter and sister?.
"Darina was a beautiful lady with a zest for life. She was courageous and determined. She had a great talent for and love of music and she enjoyed life with her family and friends," the statement said.
The family has appealed for privacy and asked the media not to attend Darina?s funeral.
Elsewhere, an Irish language college in the Donegal Gaeltacht had to close at the weekend because of a swine flu outbreak there.
All 300 students were sent home after 11 of them were confirmed as having the virus.
It has also been reported that former Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald is among 20 Irish people who have been quarantined at a French chateau because of a suspected swine flu outbreak.
Some 1,300 people were diagnosed with suspected swine flu in Ireland last week.
For more on swine flu, see our Q&A section here and a GP's guide to swine flu here.
