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Swine flu 'causes' patient death First 'healthy' swine flu death
(about 1 hour later)
A patient in Essex has become the first in the UK without underlying health problems to die of swine flu. A patient in Essex has become the first person in the UK without underlying health problems to die of swine flu.
The patient died earlier at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital. NHS East of England said the victim died at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital on Friday.
NHS East of England said it would release no further details about the patient following a request by the family. A spokesman said the hospital trust "would like to extend their deepest sympathies to the family affected as they come to terms with their loss".
Two people in Canvey Island are being treated for a mild form of swine flu and the East of England has seen 14 cases overall, a spokeswoman said. On Thursday the government said 14 people were thought to have died in the UK after contracting swine flu.
England's chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson said not all of those had died as a direct result of swine flu but they had all had the virus.
Of the 14 deaths, 12 occurred in England and two in Scotland
The number of swine flu cases in London and the West Midlands was approaching epidemic levels, he added.
Severe illness
At the request of the patient's family no further details about the latest victim will be released by the health service.
BBC News health correspondent Branwen Jeffreys said: "This was someone with no previous health problems, but not perhaps surprising.
"Although this flu virus has been fairly mild in most people there is always the possibility with flu that it can be a severe illness."
Dr Andrea Atherton, director of public health for NHS South East Essex, said: "We would like to reassure people that the risk of transmission still remains small.Dr Andrea Atherton, director of public health for NHS South East Essex, said: "We would like to reassure people that the risk of transmission still remains small.
"It is important to stress that the symptoms of swine flu are, relatively speaking, mild."It is important to stress that the symptoms of swine flu are, relatively speaking, mild.
"Unless you have flu-like symptoms and are being tested for swine flu, there is absolutely no need to stop your normal everyday activities.""Unless you have flu-like symptoms and are being tested for swine flu, there is absolutely no need to stop your normal everyday activities."
Two people in Canvey Island are being treated for a mild form of swine flu and the East of England has seen 14 cases overall, a spokeswoman said.