Swine flu claims lives of pregnant woman and child
A pregnant woman and a child with swine flu have died in the last week, it emerged today.
Health chiefs said the woman and girl were both from the east of the country.
Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer, said: “I want to take this opportunity to express our condolences and our sympathies of the minister, HSE and department to the families involved.”
The tragedies bring to 16 the number of people who have died from the H1N1 virus.
It is the first time the condition has led to the death of a pregnant woman.
Dr Holohan said the death reiterates the need for pregnant women to get the vaccine.
“We continue to stress the importance of vaccination in pregnancy,” he said.
“We know that women who are pregnant have an increased risk of complication as a result of swine flu and for that reason we’ve been recommending all along that they get vaccinated.
“It’s also important in terms of protection for the baby.”
Some 4,000 pregnant women have received the vaccine around the country.
Dr Holohan said the child who died had an underlying medical condition
The ages of both victims have not been revealed to protect their privacy.
Some 191 people remain in hospital with the illness, including 22 fighting for their lives in intensive care.
The rate of infection now stands at 174.8 per 100,000 people.
