The first swine flu death in Northern Ireland was announced by health officials today.
The female patient, who was said to have had an underlying health condition, died last night in hospital.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey expressed his condolences to the bereaved family.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the patient at this tragic and very sad time,” he said. The family has asked for the patient’s identity to be kept private. We are respecting their wishes and will not be releasing any further details to let the family come to terms with their loss.”
Last month Co Derry-born soldier Lee Porter died in a Surrey hospital after he contracted swine flu. The 30-year-old soldier who died after contracting swine flu was from Coleraine in Co Derry.
It had initially been said Mr Porter had suffered from other medical problems, though the man’s family objected to the claim, and in a subsequent statement the Ministry of Defence said he had in fact been a fit and active soldier.
While the case of the female patient announced today is the first recorded swine flu death to take place in Northern Ireland, two people have died in the Republic after contracting the H1N1 virus in recent weeks.
The number of human swine flu cases presenting to GPs in the State last week increased by about 350, according to Department of Health figures.
In the seven days up to last Sunday, the incidence of the H1N1 virus was 42.2 cases per 100,000 of population, the equivalent of about 1,800 cases nationally.
Additional reporting PA