Gibraltar's first swine flu death

GIBRALTAR (GibChronicle) A local man has died from swine flu, it emerged today. This is the first such death in Gibraltar. The man, in his early 50s was one of two cases of otherwise healthy people which led to a public health alert in which the authorities urged vulnerable persons in particular to have a swine flu jab. A fortnight ago the GHA said that tests results on two patients who were being treated by the Hospital (photo) over a few weeks for severe lung inflammation had proved positive as Swine Flu with lung complications.
The GHA stated that these two patients were not in the identified risk group published by the GHA in October 2010 and January 2011. One patient made a full recovery.>
The statement reminded the general public that susceptible persons, even those who are not in the high risk group, may, if they contract Swine Flu develop serious and life threatening complications such as lung failure (requiring artificial ventilation), kidney failure, heart failure and secondary infections.

“Swine Flu is highly infectious and unlike other flu viruses is particularly severe on pregnant women, young persons and people with certain pre-existing diseases,” said the statement whilst emphasising that the two cases of Swine Flu in Gibraltar had been cases with serious complications in otherwise healthy adults. The GHA, it added was therefore once again offering the vaccine to everyone.