Woman, 23, is critical with swine flu

Jun 4 2009 by Alison Rennie, Paisley Daily Express

A 23-YEAR-OLD woman is the SECOND Paisley person critically ill in hospital after catching swine flu.

The news comes just 24 hours after a 45-year-old Buddie became the first person in Paisley to catch the virus.

Last night the Scottish Government said they did not don’t think there is a link between the two Buddies but are still investigating.

Both Paisley patients – and a 38-year-old Glasgow woman – are being cared for in the intensive care unit at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

The 45-year-old Buddie was the first person in the UK to become critically ill solely as a result of being infected with swine flu. Till now, all other critical patients have had underlying health problems.

Doctors are still carrying out tests on the 23-year-old woman to see if she has any underlying health problems.

All three RAH patients are on life support machines and doctors have described their conditions as “critical but stable.”

A Scottish Government health spokeswoman said: “We cannot confirm any link between the two Paisley patients at the moment.

“Health Protection officials are currently investigating this. All three patients in the RAH remain in a critical but stable condition.”

Health protection officials are now working in the Paisley area to trace the family, friends, colleagues and anyone else the two may have come in close contact with.

The spokeswoman said that these people will be offered the anti-viral drug Tamiflu.

She explained: “Health protection officials have put their risk assessment work into practice following the confirmation of swine flu in this patient. This means that all close contact with these patients will be identified and traced.

“If necessary, these people will be offered prophylaxis in an effort to stave off symptoms.

“This is exactly the same measures which have been taken when other cases have been confirmed in Scotland.”

Paisley South MSP Hugh Henry said people needed to be kept informed of any developments.

He told the Paisley Daily Express: “I am concerned. I have met twice with the health secretary Nicola Sturgeon and also questioned the First Minister in Parliament.

“I think we need to re-look at the government’s procedures given this significant and worrying development in the Renfrewshire area, that being the Paisley man becoming critically ill solely as a result of catching swine flu.

“The public need to be kept informed so that people can take appropriate measures.

“I would urge everyone to be vigilant and take the precautions advised.

“This is now striking home that this is now in Renfrewshire and we should not be complacent.”

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the government was still trying to contain the spread of the virus by tracing people who have been in contact with infected individuals to slow down the spread of infection.

She said: “We’re getting closer now to a situation where the containment strategy we have been pursuing up until now will evolve into something different.

“We are now seeing sporadic cases in the community, with clusters taking place around them.

“Therefore the message to the public is to be vigilant and alert and – crucially – to follow key hygiene advice, which becomes even more important now.

“There is no need for the public to be unduly worried. I understand that information about patients being admitted to intensive care will concern people, but, as we have said throughout, in any flu scenario small numbers of patients will develop complications and require medical intervention.

“However, the overwhelming majority of cases are experiencing mild symptoms and there is no reason to think that will change.”