Third swine flu death in Scotland

A third swine flu patient has died in Scotland, the health secretary has revealed.

Nicola Sturgeon said the female tourist died after being admitted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness three weeks ago.

The woman had underlying health problems, Ms Sturgeon said. No further details have been released.

A 73-year-old man and 38-year-old woman suffering from swine flu died last month. They also had underlying health problems.

Ms Sturgeon said the tourist died on Wednesday.

She added: "This woman's death is a tragedy for her family and friends and I'd like to express my sincere condolences.

"Fortunately, the vast majority of those who have H1N1 suffer relatively mild symptoms and make a full recovery"

"As we have seen in previous cases, this patient was suffering from underlying health conditions and her death should not cause alarm among the general population.

"Fortunately, the vast majority of those who have H1N1 suffer relatively mild symptoms and make a full recovery. The latest figures for Scotland also show that, while the virus continues to circulate, the rates remain relatively low."

The total number of people with swine flu to have died across the UK now stands at 29.

NHS Highland was dealing with 130 confirmed cases two weeks ago - most of the patients were from Argyll and Bute.

The board, in line with others across the country, does not now confirm numbers after the UK Government said containing the respiratory disease was no longer an option.

Treatment phase

Ministers said at the beginning of the month the emergency response would move to a new "treatment" phase across the UK as there may soon be 100,000 new cases a day.

It means anti-flu drugs will no longer be given to the close contacts of those infected nor will lab testing be done to confirm cases.

The move was made to relieve the pressure on the health service.

The latest figures for Scotland since the change to the reporting system showed that during the last week levels of illness due to the virus remained relatively low, according to the Scottish Government.

It said the rate of GP consultations for flu-like illness - which were not necessarily H1N1 - across Scotland was 25 per 100,000.

This was compared with a peak of 60 cases per 100,000 during a "not particularly bad" flu season last winter.

There have been 44 people with swineflu who have been hospitalised since the start of the outbreak. Two remain in hospital.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Scottish Government
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites