tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
A 22-YEAR-OLD man died from swine flu in The Alfred hospital two days after federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon declared the threat over.
Christopher Patterson thought he had a persistent cold until he was diagnosed with swine flu and flown to Melbourne from his home at Inglewood, near Bendigo.
His family had been by his side for more than a month as he battled the disease in hospital. But Mr Patterson lost his fight on Friday night.
His mother, Jenny Patterson, said her son had developed a cold in late October, which seemed innocuous at first. He had no history of breathing difficulties except for a case of pneumonia in 2000.
"He was just a normal, healthy kid," she said.
His death will officially be signed off as respiratory airways distress syndrome, a complication of swine flu.
"He was a great kid, he had lots and lots of friends, he was very loved," Ms Patterson said.
About 37,600 cases of swine flu were reported in Australia last year, compared with less than 7000 infections this year.
"As the number of cases has declined, it is appropriate to declare the H1N1 pandemic over in Australia for this year by returning our pandemic phase to 'alert'," Ms Roxon said in a statement. "The low-level state of alert recognises "there is no effective transmission between humans'."
The Inglewood community rallied around the Patterson family, raising funds to cover accommodation costs for Jenny to be by her son's side.
"They paid for my hotel when I was down there, the fire brigade mowed and weeded my lawn, they held fundraisers and friends have looked after my pets," she said. "We are blessed to live in this little town."
Swine flu claimed 191 Australian lives last year and 23 so far this year.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad-ap...s-its-head-again/story-fn6bfm6w-1225966028010
Christopher Patterson thought he had a persistent cold until he was diagnosed with swine flu and flown to Melbourne from his home at Inglewood, near Bendigo.
His family had been by his side for more than a month as he battled the disease in hospital. But Mr Patterson lost his fight on Friday night.
His mother, Jenny Patterson, said her son had developed a cold in late October, which seemed innocuous at first. He had no history of breathing difficulties except for a case of pneumonia in 2000.
"He was just a normal, healthy kid," she said.
His death will officially be signed off as respiratory airways distress syndrome, a complication of swine flu.
"He was a great kid, he had lots and lots of friends, he was very loved," Ms Patterson said.
About 37,600 cases of swine flu were reported in Australia last year, compared with less than 7000 infections this year.
"As the number of cases has declined, it is appropriate to declare the H1N1 pandemic over in Australia for this year by returning our pandemic phase to 'alert'," Ms Roxon said in a statement. "The low-level state of alert recognises "there is no effective transmission between humans'."
The Inglewood community rallied around the Patterson family, raising funds to cover accommodation costs for Jenny to be by her son's side.
"They paid for my hotel when I was down there, the fire brigade mowed and weeded my lawn, they held fundraisers and friends have looked after my pets," she said. "We are blessed to live in this little town."
Swine flu claimed 191 Australian lives last year and 23 so far this year.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad-ap...s-its-head-again/story-fn6bfm6w-1225966028010