03/11/2009
'Ninth' Swine Flu Tragedy Revealed
A fifth Northern Ireland child has died after contracting swine flu.
The BBC is reporting that a child with special needs - who was from Co Antrim - died last week and is officially the ninth person in NI to die with the virus - even though the new tragedy means that 11 NI people have actually passed away with swine flu.
The Department of Health was this afternoon unable to confirm the latest death but told the BBC that, in line with a new policy, it would only be updating the public in a weekly bulletin - which is normally published on Thursdays.
However, the schoolgirl is the eleventh person from Northern Ireland to have died after contracting the disease.
In addition to the nine people who physically died within NI, one person died in England and another NI victim also died in Spain.
Last month, two girls from Foyleview Special School, Londonderry, died within a week of each other.
Following the deaths of Ashleigh Lynch and Orla O'Kane, there were calls from some school principals for teachers in special schools to be included in the first wave of vaccinations and after a rethink by Stormont Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, that has now taken place.
At the end of October, more than 2,500 children in over 20 special schools for severe learning disability across Northern Ireland were offered the vaccine as a matter of urgency.
See: Swine Flu Mum Battles For Life
See: Swine Flu Death Toll Rises
(BMcC/KMcA)
The BBC is reporting that a child with special needs - who was from Co Antrim - died last week and is officially the ninth person in NI to die with the virus - even though the new tragedy means that 11 NI people have actually passed away with swine flu.
The Department of Health was this afternoon unable to confirm the latest death but told the BBC that, in line with a new policy, it would only be updating the public in a weekly bulletin - which is normally published on Thursdays.
However, the schoolgirl is the eleventh person from Northern Ireland to have died after contracting the disease.
In addition to the nine people who physically died within NI, one person died in England and another NI victim also died in Spain.
Last month, two girls from Foyleview Special School, Londonderry, died within a week of each other.
Following the deaths of Ashleigh Lynch and Orla O'Kane, there were calls from some school principals for teachers in special schools to be included in the first wave of vaccinations and after a rethink by Stormont Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, that has now taken place.
At the end of October, more than 2,500 children in over 20 special schools for severe learning disability across Northern Ireland were offered the vaccine as a matter of urgency.
See: Swine Flu Mum Battles For Life
See: Swine Flu Death Toll Rises
(BMcC/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
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22 October 2009
More Swine Flu Tragedies Revealed
A second child from Foyleview special school in Londonderry has died after contracting swine flu. Ashleigh Lynch is understood to have been a fellow pupil of 14-year-old Orla O'Kane who died last week.
More Swine Flu Tragedies Revealed
A second child from Foyleview special school in Londonderry has died after contracting swine flu. Ashleigh Lynch is understood to have been a fellow pupil of 14-year-old Orla O'Kane who died last week.
21 September 2009
Birthday Celebrations End Tragically
A young woman from Belfast died last week in Spain after contracting swine flu and also developing pneumonia. Corinna Ritchie, a hairdresser, went to Ibiza to celebrate her 21st birthday and became ill while on holiday on the island.
Birthday Celebrations End Tragically
A young woman from Belfast died last week in Spain after contracting swine flu and also developing pneumonia. Corinna Ritchie, a hairdresser, went to Ibiza to celebrate her 21st birthday and became ill while on holiday on the island.
27 July 2009
Tamiflu Prescribed For First Time
An antiviral drug is now being dispensed in NI for the first time. As more people are falling ill with suspected swine flu, Tamiflu is going to patients who present with symptoms.
Tamiflu Prescribed For First Time
An antiviral drug is now being dispensed in NI for the first time. As more people are falling ill with suspected swine flu, Tamiflu is going to patients who present with symptoms.
06 August 2009
Further Swine Flu Cases Confirmed
Lab tested cases of swine flu across Northern Ireland continue to rise. However, while many more people have been diagnosed as swine flu sufferers, the number of laboratory confirmed cases of swine flu have risen by just 16 - a far lower rate of increase than anywhere else in the British Isles.
Further Swine Flu Cases Confirmed
Lab tested cases of swine flu across Northern Ireland continue to rise. However, while many more people have been diagnosed as swine flu sufferers, the number of laboratory confirmed cases of swine flu have risen by just 16 - a far lower rate of increase than anywhere else in the British Isles.
19 October 2009
Swine Flu Death Toll Rises
Seven people from NI have now died while suffering from the swine flu virus. Five died in NI while the other two victims died in England and Spain. The latest tragedy has been identified as 14-year-old Orla O'Kane, from Londonderry - a pupil at Foyle View Special School – who died a week ago.
Swine Flu Death Toll Rises
Seven people from NI have now died while suffering from the swine flu virus. Five died in NI while the other two victims died in England and Spain. The latest tragedy has been identified as 14-year-old Orla O'Kane, from Londonderry - a pupil at Foyle View Special School – who died a week ago.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
