Posted by Wellington, July 4 (DPA) Three people have died of swine flu in New Zealand, the Ministry of Health announced Saturday, reporting the country’s first fatalities from the H1N1 virus.
It said the chief coroner had reported that it was “strongly probable” the H1N1 virus was a major factor in the death of a 19-year-old man in Hamilton Sunday and a 42-year-old man in Christchurch Thursday.
A ministry statement said that a young girl with underlying medical conditions died Saturday morning in Wellington Hospital after testing positive for swine flu.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said swine flu was continuing to spread throughout the community, but there was no cause for alarm.
Mark Jacobs, director of public health, said: “For most New Zealanders, swine flu will be a mild illness, but in some instances, the infection can cause more severe illness and, in a few tragic instances, death.”
He said that 945 confirmed cases had now been reported in New Zealand, up from 912 on Friday.
More posts in Health
- Swine flu surfaces again in Himachal - March 3rd, 2010
- Premature babies as good as others in use of hands - March 2nd, 2010
- Heart disease cost India 9.2 mn productive years : PM - February 27th, 2010
- Indian doctors in Kabul serve despite uncertainty : PM - February 27th, 2010
- Many adult diseases sprout in poverty - February 27th, 2010
- How does the body heal itself ? - February 27th, 2010
- Health budget up by Rs. 2,700 cr , focus on rural , public health (Second lead) - February 26th, 2010
- Public health budget up by Rs. 1,253 crore - February 26th, 2010