23-Month Old Dies From Swine Flu In Texas

April 29, 2009 by tanya
Filed under: Baby Health, News

A 23-month old from Texas has died from the swine flu. It is the first fatality outside of Mexico.

Dr Richard Besser, from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the death today. The toddler tied from the H1N1 strain of the deadly virus.

The virus has so far claimed around 160 deaths in Mexico, with over 80 cases now been reported worldwide.

Three more cases in Britain have been reported, including a 12 year-old girl from Torbay.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Britain is “among the best prepared countries in the world” to deal with the outbreak. “We have been preparing for this kind of scenario for many years,”

Over 25 million homes in the UK will receive leaflets from the Department of Health to explain how to stop swine flu spreading. They will also be ordering over 32 million protective face masks to protect healthcare workers.

People who are showing signs of symptoms have been advised to remain at home to reduce the risk of infecting people they come into contact with.

Symptoms may include a pain in or across their chest, pain in their shoulder, shortness of breath, has swelling around the lips, mouth or tongue or has lips, fingernails or toenails that have changed colour.

If caughter early, it is thought that the virus will be similar to the discomfort caused in normal flu cases. It is believed to be less dangerous than bird flu, the H5N1 strain.

Sufferers are advised to remain at home, drink plenty of water and to take paracetamol. They should cover their mouths when coughing, wash hands often and put used tissues into the bin immediately.

Parents should call a doctor immediately if their child shows any symptoms.