UK: 607 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

[JimO]

Re: UK: 395 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 395 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2011/02/08/17192761.html

Flu claims two London children

By John Miner, The London Free Press
Last Updated: February 8, 2011 9:17am

Three people, including two children, died from influenza, the Middlesex-London Health Unit reported Tuesday.

The latest deaths bring the toll to seven deaths in the city and county this flu season...

...more at the link above

 

[tetano]

Re: UK: 395 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 395 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Dad?s swine flu ordeal

A father has revealed how a suspected winter sniffle nearly killed him.

Ciaran Curran, 34, from Adlington, feared he would not see his young son grow up, after contracting swine flu.

Within days, he was fighting for life in Royal Preston Hospital?s critical care unit, and when he failed to respond to treatment, doctors put him into a medically-induced coma.

Ciaran, who is married to Sue and has a two-year-old son Roraigh, said: ?I live a relatively healthy lifestyle. I am hardly ever sick, so it was a real shock.?

Ciaran?s ordeal began towards the end of December, with flu-like symptoms.

But a few days later, Ciaran woke to find he was struggling to breathe and his wife immediately made him an emergency appointment with his GP.

..

http://www.chorley-guardian.co.uk/news/local/dad_s_swine_flu_ordeal_1_3058311

 

[tetano]

Re: UK: 395 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 395 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Liverpool FC owner John Henry pays tribute to swine flu victim Ray Osbourne

THE owner of Liverpool FC paid tribute to a campaigning fan who died from swine flu.

Dad-of-two Ray Osbourne, 52, from Runcorn, passed away from the illness last Thursday.

The passionate Liverpool FC fan, who grew up in Toxteth, met new owner of the club, John Henry, last year.

The American sports tycoon said on his Twitter feed: ?Sad news on the passing of Ray Osbourne, one of the most eloquent and thoughtful men I have met. Our deepest condolences to his family.?

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/live...wine-flu-victim-ray-osbourne-100252-28138716/

 

[tetano]

Re: UK: 395 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 395 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

More than 40 people needed hospital treatment for swine flu bug

FOUR people were left fighting for their lives after being struck down by the deadly swine flu virus.

And a further 37 people from Dumfries and Galloway were admitted to hospital after being diagnosed with H1N1.

Health chiefs admitted that Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary suffered ?significant pressures? during the flu season which started in November.

Speaking at the monthly health board meeting on Monday, chief operating officer Jeff Ace said: ?The pinch point has been the impact of H1N1 on our critical care capacity.

...

http://www.dgstandard.co.uk/dumfrie...l-treatment-for-swine-flu-bug-51311-28137185/

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: UK: 395 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 395 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Effectiveness of seasonal 2010/11 and pandemic influenza A(H1N1)2009 vaccines in preventing influenza infection in the United Kingdom: mid-season analysis 2010/11 (Euro Surveill., abstract, edited)


[Source: Eurosurveillance, full text: <cite cite="http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=19791">Eurosurveillance - View Article</cite>. Abstract, edited.]

Eurosurveillance, Volume 16, Issue 6, 10 February 2011

Rapid communications

Effectiveness of seasonal 2010/11 and pandemic influenza A(H1N1)2009 vaccines in preventing influenza infection in the United Kingdom: mid-season analysis 2010/11

R Pebody 1, P Hardelid 1, D M Fleming 2, J McMenamin 3, N Andrews 1, C Robertson 3,4, D R Thomas 5, P SebastianPillai 6, J Ellis 6, W Carman 7, T Wreghitt 8, M Zambon 6, J M Watson 1

1. Health Protection Agency Health Protection Services ? Colindale, London, United Kingdom
2. Royal College of General Practitioners Research and Surveillance Centre, Birmingham, United Kingdom
3. Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, United Kingdom
4. University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
5. Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6. Health Protection Agency Microbiology Services ? Colindale, London, United Kingdom
7. West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, Glasgow, United Kingdom
8. Health Protection Agency Microbiology Services, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Citation style for this article: Pebody R, Hardelid P, Fleming DM, McMenamin J, Andrews N, Robertson C, Thomas DR, SebastianPillai P, Ellis J, Carman W, Wreghitt T, Zambon M, Watson JM. Effectiveness of seasonal 2010/11 and pandemic influenza A(H1N1)2009 vaccines in preventing influenza infection in the United Kingdom: mid-season analysis 2010/11 . Euro Surveill. 2011;16(6)ii=19791. Available online: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=19791

Date of submission: 26 January 2011

This study provides mid-season estimates of the effectiveness of 2010/11 trivalent influenza vaccine and previous vaccination with monovalent influenza A(H1N1)2009 vaccine in preventing confirmed influenza A(H1N1)2009 infection in the United Kingdom in the 2010/11 season. The adjusted vaccine effectiveness was 34% (95% CI: -10 - 60%) if vaccinated only with monovalent vaccine in the 2009/10 season; 46% (95% CI: 7 - 69%) if vaccinated only with trivalent influenza vaccine in the 2010/11 season and 63% (95% CI: 37 - 78%) if vaccinated in both seasons.

-
------

 

[JimO]

Re: UK: 395 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 395 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

This study provides mid-season estimates of the effectiveness of 2010/11 trivalent influenza vaccine and previous vaccination with monovalent influenza A(H1N1)2009 vaccine in preventing confirmed influenza A(H1N1)2009 infection in the United Kingdom in the 2010/11 season. The adjusted vaccine effectiveness was 34% (95% CI: -10 - 60%) if vaccinated only with monovalent vaccine in the 2009/10 season; 46% (95% CI: 7 - 69%) if vaccinated only with trivalent influenza vaccine in the 2010/11 season and 63% (95% CI: 37 - 78%) if vaccinated in both seasons.

Not surprising, but I didn't expect it to be that low. Also, fewer of the isolates from the fall had the S185T mutation than those from late December and January. So, depending on how far back they went with the study, the effecitveness could be even lower for the U.S. in places where the mutated strain is circulating.

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Today's fatality reports from the UK summarize as follows;

England 318 (up 37); Scotland 57 (up 3); Wales 34 (unchanged) Northern Ireland 30 (up 4); Total 439 (up 44)

Note: I forgot NI's flu B fatality last week.

 

[Anne]

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

http://winterwatch.dh.gov.uk/health-data-10-feb-2011/

The overall number of severely ill patients with confirmed or suspected flu in critical care has reduced.

As at 10 February 2011, there were 99 patients with confirmed or suspected influenza in NHS critical care beds in England ? these patients occupied 2.8% of available critical care beds nationally.

 

[JimO]

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

This is a truly tragic story. I'm posting it because of what they mentioned regarding the death certificate - bronchiopneumonia and multiple organ failture and that he was fit and healthy and died just 5 days from onset. I'm sure this would not be counted as an influenza death. I wonder how many young people died suddenly like this in the UK with no confirmation of flu.

'I can't go on without him': Bodybuilding bride-to-be, 32, hangs herself two days after mystery bug kills fiance

Sweaton, of Leeds, who, like his fiancee, was a fitness instructor, fell ill on Christmas Eve with what appeared to be flu. His condition failed to improve and after visiting his GP on December 29 he went to St James's Hospital in Leeds that day. He died in intensive care eight hours later.

---

The university graduate's death certificate says he died as a result of bronchopneumonia and multi-organ failure.

---

'He was fit and healthy - he always ate the right food, he never smoked, he was at the gym every single day.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...s-mystery-bug-kills-fiance.html#ixzz1Dbsj7h2B

 

[Vibrant62]

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Jim - I suspect there will be quite a few.

When all the mortality data is processed and available by age group etc, we will be able to get a 'true' picture of the burden of H1N1 - unfortunately not in real time it would seem, so that it could better help govern public health decisions.

 

[tetano]

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Family of Morecambe swine flu boy in vaccination call

A four-year-old boy from Morecambe is back home after recovering from a serious case of swine flu and liver failure.

Oliver Scrase-Smith was in intensive care at Leeds General Infirmary.

His liver had failed and he was given a 10% chance of surviving the night before he was diagnosed with swine flu, his family said.

They added they were angry he had nearly died when a vaccine could have prevented the illness.

His father Richard Smith, 34, is calling on the government to give vaccinations to all.

He said: "Anybody who is classed as fit and healthy, like Oliver was, [can't] get a vaccine.
Continue reading the main story
?Start Quote

You expect a doctor to say they can make him better, not to turn round to you and say they can't do anything.?

End Quote Amy Scrase Mother of Oliver Scrase-Smith

"In my eyes that is wrong. It should be available to everyone, especially children."

..


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-12463507

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Swine flu behind dad-of-one and Sefton Council manager's death
Feb 16 2011
Midweek Visiter

A DAD-OF-ONE died after contracting further infections brought on by swine flu, an inquest heard.

Richard McGrath transformed the lives of hundreds of disadvantaged youngsters in his role as positive futures manager at Sefton Council.

But the 40-year-old, described as one of the council?s ?most popular and highly regarded officers?, died suddenly in hospital after developing complications linked to swine flu.

The hearing into his death was told he spoke to a doctor on December 20 last year after suffering from flu-like symptoms for several days.

....

http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/s...fton-council-manager-s-death-101022-28174703/

 

[tetano]

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Four year-old Merseyside boy did not die from swine flu, inquest told

SWINE flu was ruled out as the cause of death of a four-year-old Merseyside boy an inquest heard.

Liverpool coroner Andre Rebello recorded a verdict of natural causes after Elliott Lamb died in Alder Hey Children?s Hospital on December 15, 2010.

Elliott from St Helens was born with a cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection for which he was being treated and had been fitted with a shunt which drained the accumulation of fluid from his brain.

A post-mortem showed he had the H1N1 infection but the pathologist told the court it was highly unlikely this was the cause of death because there was no evidence of the virus in the youngster?s heart, spleen, lungs or blood.

The pathologist concluded that Elliott died of brain damage due to the congenital CMV infection and severe hydrocephalus or water on the brain.

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/live...u-inquest-told-100252-28185229/#ixzz1EDaIwaMC

 

[cartski]

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Not exactly on point, but still relevant to the mortality trends - just published in open access:

http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.d508.abstract?etoc

Trends in mortality from 1965 to 2008 across the English north-south divide: comparative observational study

Conclusion Inequalities in all cause mortality in the north-south divide were severe and persistent over the four decades from 1965 to 2008. Males were affected more than females, and the variation across age groups was substantial. The increase in this inequality from 2000 to 2008 was notable and occurred despite the public policy emphasis in England over this period on reducing inequalities in health.

 

[tetano]

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Swine flu found in 10 Shropshire hospital deaths



From the beginning of December until the middle of last month, 57 patients at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and 34 at Telford?s Princess Royal Hospital were identified to have flu A ? a group of flu viruses that includes H1N1 swine flu.

How many had the H1N1 strain is not known. The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust tested all patients admitted to the two hospitals with flu symptoms. In some cases test samples were sent to a special laboratory in Birmingham to identify which strain of flu a patient might have.

Read more: http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/...-10-shropshire-hospital-deaths/#ixzz1EJFkqzJJ

 

[tetano]

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Child dies from swine flu at St Leonard's hospital

Swine flu has claimed another child?s life, one of four people to have died at two Sussex hospitals during the latest Swine flu outbreak.

The youngster, whose name and age have not been revealed, died at the Conquest Hospital in St Leonards between September last year and February this year.

It is the first time East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust has confirmed deaths took place as a direct result of swine flu, known in medical terms as H1N1.

Health officials are refusing to give any details of victims, saying to do so would breach the patients? confidentiality.

The child?s death emerged though a Freedom of Information request to the trust.

A spokesman for the trust said: ?There have been a total of four fatalities that were confirmed as H1N1 but information on actual cause of death from death certificates has not been investigated.?

The other three swine flu victims included a pensioner and two adults.

The pensioner and one of the adults died at the Conquest.

Another adult died at Eastbourne District General Hospital (DGH).

This person was the only one out of the four to die who was perfectly healthy before contracting swine flu.

All the other people, including the child, had some background of illness.

All died between September and February.

During this period 29 people were treated at the DGH for swine flu and 17 at the Conquest.

Swine flu led to the deaths of at least four patients in Sussex in 2009, including a four-year-old girl from Brighton and Brittany Eastland, nine, from Crawley.

Neither child had any underlying health problems.

South East Coast Strategic Health Authority has followed national guidance which means detailed information about swine flu deaths is not routinely revealed because of patient confidentiality.

An East Sussex Downs and Weald Primary Care Trust spokeswoman said the trust was taking measures to reduce the spread of the illness.

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/8867943.Child_dies_from_swine_flu_at_St_Leonard_s_hospital/?ref=rss

 

[tetano]

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Swine flu kills New Arley grandfather, 55


A GRANDFATHER has died of swine flu in Nuneaton?s George Eliot Hospital.

Glyn Davies, aged 55, fought a two-month battle against the virus, after initially being treated by his GP for a chest infection.

He was taken by his wife Yvonne to hospital on December 18, when he was admitted into the intensive care unit.

He died at one minute to midnight on Sunday.

He is the second man to die of swine flu at the hospital.

Glyn?s wife Yvonne said: ?We knew he was in a serious condition but seemed to have turned the corner when he took a sudden turn for the worse. Glyn went very quickly, with his family at his bedside. He had been very brave and we are all devastated.?

Read More http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/ne...-grandfather-55-92746-28218467/#ixzz1EmYDtlmg

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 439 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Child died of swine flu at the Conquest HospitalSponsored by
Published on Sun Feb 27 08:00:00 GMT 2011


A CHILD has died of swine flu while being treated at the Conquest Hospital.


The youngster, whose name, age and gender have not been revealed, died at the hospital on The Ridge between September last year and February this year.

But the child?s death only came to light this week following a request to the hospital trust under the Freedom of Information Act.

East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust (ESHT) said there had been three deaths at the Conquest due to swine flu since last September, and one at its sister hospital, the District General Hospital in Eastbourne.

All three victims had a background of illness.

The other two patients at the Conquest were an adult and pensioner
...

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/n..._swine_flu_at_the_conquest_hospital_1_2451827

 

[JimO]

Re: UK: 523 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 523 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2011/02/28/17438556.html

Flu death toll climbs
By JOHN MINER, The London Free Press

Last Updated: February 28, 2011 1:14pm

Seasonal flu has claimed another life in the London area, bringing the laboratory-confirmed death toll to 11, the Middlesex-London Health Unit reported Monday.

...more at link

 

[tetano]

Re: UK: 523 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Re: UK: 523 confirmed fatalities due to influenza

Stepping Hill hospital 'sorry' for missing swine flu in tragic three-year-old Lana Ameen

Bosses of a hospital which missed swine flu in two young children - including a three-year-old girl who later died - have apologised to their parents and promised to improve care.

Managers of Stepping Hill, in Stockport, called in experts from the Royal Manchester Children?s Hospital to review the two incidents in December.

The experts have now completed their report and as a result the hospital will:

* Retrain all staff in spotting early-warning symptoms of serious illness in babies
* Involve senior doctors more closely in decisions about children?s care
* Provide specialist advanced training in resuscitating children for more doctors and nurses

Stepping Hill bosses have refused to release the full report to the M.E.N ? and say staff have not been criticised for failing to diagnose swine flu in the children.

But they admitted the probe found there were failings in care.

The report focused on two swine flu cases. Three-year-old Lana Ameen, from Stockport, was treated for an infection and sent home on Christmas morning.

When her parents Zana, a doctor, and Gemma, a nurse, took her back to the hospital 12 hours later, she was fighting for life and suffering fits.

She died on Boxing Day.

Five-week-old Harvey Flanagan, from Heaton Chapel, was twice taken to Stepping Hill and sent away with indigestion medication before staff at Tameside General spotted he had swine flu. He was treated by the second hospital and is recovering at home.

Dr Rosemary Morton, consultant in paediatric emergency medicine at Central Manchester Hospitals Trust, carried out the review.

Dr Chris Burke chief executive of Stepping Hill, said: ?I have already personally apologised to the parents of the children concerned.

?We have taken on board all Dr Morton?s recommendations and have acted on many of them immediately.

?We have discussed these cases in detail with all the doctors and nurses involved, providing individual counselling, support and training where appropriate.

?We have reflected on our processes and strengthened these in line with the review's recommendations in order to support our staff in making the most appropriate clinical decisions.

?We want children to receive the best possible care when they attend the emergency department and this is why we have taken immediate action.?

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereve...g_swine_flu_in_tragic_threeyearold_lana_ameen