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NI soldier with swine flu dies | NI soldier with swine flu dies |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A soldier from Coleraine, County Londonderry, has died after contracting swine flu. | |
It is thought Lee Porter, a bombardier in the Royal Artillery, is the first UK serviceman to have died from the virus. | |
The 30-year-old died in a Surrey hospital last Friday, two weeks after falling sick. It is understood he had underlying health problems. | |
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said: "Our thoughts go out to his family, who were at his bedside." | |
He is the 28th person known to have died after getting swine flu in England. Three people have died in Scotland. | He is the 28th person known to have died after getting swine flu in England. Three people have died in Scotland. |
Last week health officials said there were indications the number of swine flu cases in England is no longer rising rapidly and may have "plateaued." | Last week health officials said there were indications the number of swine flu cases in England is no longer rising rapidly and may have "plateaued." |
However, England's Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, said he expected an upsurge later in the year. | However, England's Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, said he expected an upsurge later in the year. |
"I think we are probably seeing a downturn in the illness at the moment but we don't anticipate it staying away," he said. | "I think we are probably seeing a downturn in the illness at the moment but we don't anticipate it staying away," he said. |
"We expect to see a big surge in autumn." | "We expect to see a big surge in autumn." |
Northern Ireland is the area of the UK least affected by swine flu. | Northern Ireland is the area of the UK least affected by swine flu. |