THE FIRST death due to swine flu in Northern Ireland was announced by health officials yesterday.
The female patient, who was said to have had an underlying health condition, died last night in a hospital in the region.
Minister for Health Michael McGimpsey expressed his condolences to the bereaved family.
Last month, Co Derry-born soldier Lee Porter died in a Surrey hospital after he contracted swine flu. Northern Ireland health officials said relatives of the female patient had asked that her personal details be kept private.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the patient at this tragic and very sad time,” Mr McGimpsey 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.”
The 30-year-old soldier who died after contracting swine flu was from Coleraine in Co Derry.
It had initially been said that Mr Porter had suffered from other medical problems, though the man’s family objected to the claim and in a subsequent statement the UK ministry of defence said he had in fact been a fit and active soldier.
Two people died in the Republic after contracting the H1N1 virus in recent weeks. – (PA)