Flu girl died from septic shock

Swine flu has been linked to 29 deaths in the UK

A six-year-old girl with swine flu died of septic shock after suffering tonsillitis, it has been announced.

Results from a post-mortem examination revealed Chloe Buckley of West Drayton in west London, had tonsillitis caused by streptococcus A bacterium.

Health officials have not ruled out the possibility that swine flu contributed to her death on 9 July at St Mary's hospital, Paddington, west London.

Some 29 people have now died in the UK after contracting swine flu.

Announcing the results of the post-mortem examination, Dr Simon Tanner, regional director of public health for London, said: "We would once again like to extend our deepest condolences to Chloe's family at this difficult time and ask that the media respect their wishes to be allowed to come to terms with their loss in private."

Chloe, who contracted the virus in the UK, attended St Catherine's School in West Drayton.

The school has closed early for the summer break following her death.

Her parents, Michael and Jacinta, released a statement following her death on 9 July saying they were satisfied with the medical care Chloe had received and asked to be left alone to grieve.

A post-mortem examination carried out on Bedfordshire GP Dr Michael Day found that swine flu was a significant factor in his death on 11 July.

In a statement, NHS Bedfordshire said: "The final coroner's report following the post-mortem into Dr Day's death has confirmed that swine flu was a significant contributory factor into his death."

In addition, Dr Day, 64, suffered a blood clot to the lungs and was known to have high blood pressure and heart disease

No inquest will be held into his death.

Worst-case scenarios

Meanwhile in China, the first of more than 100 British school pupils quarantined at a Beijing hotel after coming into contact with students diagnosed with swine flu have been released.

A total of 21 students and two teachers were allowed to leave the Yanxiang Hotel early on Tuesday after spending seven days in quarantine.

The 29 people who have now died in the UK after contracting swine flu include 26 in England and three in Scotland.

The government has warned that the number of deaths from the virus this winter in the UK could reach between 19,000 and 65,000.

But it has stressed these are worst-case scenarios and compare to the 12,000 seasonal flu deaths seen each year on average.

Ministers have said they are not not convinced of the benefits of closing schools this autumn despite Imperial College London scientists saying such a move could help slow the spread of cases and buy more time for a vaccine.

On Monday, Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced a national flu service would be launched later this week in England to relieve the pressure on the health service.