Health chiefs say swine flu worst is still to come

Jun 16 2009 by Alison Rennie, Paisley Daily Express

HEALTH chiefs last night warned that Renfrewshire’s swine flu outbreak is likely to get worse before it gets better.

But they have also urged families not to panic if, as expected, the number of people infected with the virus continues to rise.

The warning was issued following the tragic death of Glasgow woman Jacqueline Fleming, who lost her fight for life at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley on Sunday afternoon.

Ms Fleming, 38, had been ill for some time and, earlier this month, gave birth to a baby three months prematurely.

The baby is now being cared for at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill in Glasgow but is not believed to have contracted the virus.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon told the Paisley Daily Express: “Over the next number of months, we expect to see more people in Scotland get this flu.

“What that doesn’t mean is that more people are going to become seriously ill with it.

“With the exception of a small minority of people, those who have the virus are experiencing mild symptoms. People will be ill but they will recover.

“We’re not saying to people that there’s nothing to worry about. Any flu outbreak affects a large number of people but they don’t have to worry about becoming seriously ill.”

Ms Fleming, who was from the Thornliebank area of Glasgow, is the first person to die from the swine flu pandemic outside of north America.

The mum-of-three had been suffering from underlying health problems.

Yesterday, her family spoke about their tragic loss.

A spokesperson said: “Our whole family is absolutely devastated and we are doing everything we can to support Jacqueline’s two sons and her partner.

“Jacqueline was ill in hospital for a number of weeks but nothing can prepare you for such shattering news.”

Paisley has become a ‘hot spot’ for the swine flu virus, with no fewer than 10 schools across Renfrewshire being affected.

Two swine flu sufferers remain in intensive care at the RAH.

They are 45-year-old Paisley man Kenny Johnston and an un-named 23-year-old Paisley woman.

So far, there have been confirmed cases of swine flu at Paisley Grammar School, Gleniffer High, Castlehead High, St Andrew’s Academy, St Paul’s Primary and Glenfield Nursery, all in Paisley; St David’s Primary and Cochrane Castle Primary, both in Johnstone; St Benedict’s High, in Linwood; and Kirklandneuk Primary, in Renfrew.

Pupils at Paisley Grammar and Gleniffer High who had been told to stay away from school for a week returned to classes yesterday.