Number of Britons killed by swine flu in the northern winter has reached 50

[Beuen]

By Europe correspondent Emma Alberici and wires

Updated Fri Jan 7, 2011 6:07pm AEDTThe number of Britons killed by swine flu in the northern winter has reached 50 after a 32-year-old woman became the latest casualty.

Sarah Applin had given birth to a son just two weeks ago.

When announcing her death, Ms Applin's parents urged pregnant women and others considered at risk to have the flu vaccination.

Britain's Health Protection Agency (HPA) says 11 people have died of swine flu in the past week and confirmed the flu has already claimed 47 lives, with three others dying from another strain known as type B.

Most of the deaths were children and young adults, with five deaths among under-fives and eight among those aged between five and 14.

British prime minister David Cameron has admitted parts of the country are now running low on vaccine stocks.

Britain has no central stockpile and vaccines are ordered every year by doctors' surgeries.

According to the UK Vaccine Industry Group, 14.7 million doses of flu vaccine have been delivered across Britain, which has a population of around 62 million.

Authorities say more than 700 infected people are in intensive care and high-dependency hospital beds.

Hospitals are being told to cancel routine operations to make way for the most seriously ill flu patients.

- ABC/AFP
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/07/3107969.htm

 

[Meatpie]

And in your view this qualifies as disaster?

 

[Beuen]

well hopefully it won't turn into one.

 

[Meatpie]

I doubt it, there is flu every year around this time, sometimes dragging well into march.

 

[Beuen]

Fingers crossed! Most deaths are young adults and children apparently. 50 deaths this season sounds scary though.

 

[Meatpie]

Not really for a country of 62 million people.

No disrespect to the vicrims, every life is precious.

 

[deaddirty]

Agreed!
50 deaths is nothing unusual, probably hundreds die of flu every winnter, in UK, US, most toher northern countries. Only slightly unusual thing about this year's flu is that it's mainly younger people that get it bad - normally it's the old folk.